Whittier, California – Río Hondo College’s Police Academy Regional Training Center will continue preparing cadets for a career in law enforcement through state-of-the-art virtual reality technology and physical learning environments thanks to nearly $1 million in federal funding delivered by Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez during a check-presentation ceremony on April 26.

Congresswoman Sánchez secured $963,000 in federal funding for Río Hondo College to upgrade its Police Academy Regional Training Center through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, which was signed by President Joe Biden on March 9. RHC’s Police Academy has been developing leaders in law enforcement since 1964 and provides its cadets with 21st-century police training.

“Río Hondo College and its Board of Trustees are grateful to Congresswoman Sánchez for her leadership in securing community funding for our future scenario-based/simulation training center,” Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores said. “Funding updated physical equipment and technology that produces realistic scenarios for our cadets is critical to helping them become fully trained officers and prepared first-responders.”

Río Hondo College’s Police Academy Regional Training Center is a hub where pre-service cadets from all over Southern California train for a career in law enforcement. The new scenario-based learning environments and virtual reality technology will place cadets in emotionally charged, simulated settings that reflect real law enforcement incidents, allowing them to safely learn from mistakes and improve their performance and responses.

“The rapid improvements in physical learning environments and technology allow us to better train the future officers and first responders that will serve our community,” Congresswoman Sánchez said. “These funds will help the college conduct more scenario-based and simulation training to prepare the cadets for their new careers.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

POLICE1: Río Hondo College received nearly $1 million in federal funding to upgrade its Police Academy Regional Training Center from Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez. Project funds were secured in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, which was signed by President Joe Biden on March 9.

POLICE2: The Río Hondo College’s Police Academy Regional Training Center will be upgraded with state-of-the-art virtual reality technology and physical learning environments after Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez secured nearly $1 million in federal funding for the project. The College’s Police Academy is a hub where pre-service cadets from all over Southern California train for a career in law enforcement.