Morgan Sindall Construction’s Midlands business has officially commenced works to deliver a new Police Firearms Training Facility for Staffordshire Police, which will meet their training needs for the next 30-40 years.
Procured through the Constructing West Midlands Framework, the £17.6 million scheme will see the demolition of existing buildings to make way for a modern training facility.
This will enable the force to train its Armed Response Officers to ensure the continued protection of the Staffordshire community, and to meet its mutual aid obligations.
Once complete, the new facility will feature a 10-lane, 50-metre live-fire range and a purpose-built, two-storey training hub designed to meet the advanced training needs of specialist police units. In addition to the main building works, the project will deliver a range of external improvements, including hard and soft landscaping and the installation of a new sub-station.
In collaboration with Blue Sky Architects and Appleyard & Trew LLP, the new facility has been designed to enhance Staffordshire Police’s training provision, ensuring officers have access to the very best environment and resources that support high-quality, near-realistic preparation. The building design includes energy efficient heating and lighting systems, and solar power generation which will minimise the running costs.
As part of Morgan Sindall Construction’s commitment to the scheme and local community, the team will also be supporting Care of Police Survivors (COPS) – a charity that provides emotional and practical support for bereaved families of police officers and staff who have lost their lives on duty.
Ben Adams, Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: "This is a vital facility for the force, allowing us to train our Authorised Firearms Officers in near-realistic training conditions for the roles we ask them to take on to keep Staffordshire’s communities safe. The scheme has been carefully designed to meet the needs of our officers for the next 30-40 years. We’re pleased to have Morgan Sindall on site, and to see the work finally begin."
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Talbot, of Staffordshire Police, said: "Having a firearms training facility that conforms with national legislation is vital for maintaining operational readiness and public safety. Our officers have to comply with the mandated training schedules to use firearms enabling them to respond to local, regional and national incidents, preventing serious harm to the public."
Richard Fielding, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Midlands, said: “It’s been fantastic to commence work on this important facility for Staffordshire Police. The new firearms training centre has been carefully designed to provide a safe, modern, and high-quality environment that supports the specialist training needs of the force. Our team is very much looking forward to working in partnership with Staffordshire Police and our partners to deliver a project that will serve officers and the wider community. It will ultimately enhance operational effectiveness and contribute to a safer Staffordshire.”
Damian Donnelly, Associate Director, Constructing West Midlands, added: “Constructing West Midlands is pleased to see work get underway on the Staffordshire Police Firing Range – an important project that strengthens our valued partnership with this key client and reaffirms our commitment to delivering vital infrastructure for the region’s emergency services.”
