Hoover PD Opens New Training Center

HOOVER, AL — The Hoover Police Department hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday to celebrate the opening of the Frank and Pam Barefield Training Center on Municipal Drive.

The 26,000-square-foot facility will serve as a resource for police departments across the Birmingham-Hoover metro and beyond for training in various areas of policing.

One of the features of the new facility is the VirTra training simulator, an interactive system that has the capability to put officers through more than 300 different scenarios. VirTra prepares officers with reality-based situational training, including de- escalation techniques and interacting with those in our community that have invisible disabilities.

"Special thanks to Mayor Frank Brocato, the Hoover City Council, Frank Barefield, and the entire Hoover community for helping make this vision a reality," The department said in a release. "Thank you for your support!"