GVSU's Academy of Community and Public Safety finishing first year at renovated Holland Campus

In the fall of 2024, the Grand Valley Academy of Community and Public Safety completed its first session on its newly renovated campus in Holland. Since then, the academy has totaled three graduating classes and will have completed a full year in Holland at the conclusion of its 56th class's graduation ceremony in December.

“The new space is a blessing for law enforcement, in general,” said Geoffrey Collard, the police academy's director. “It allows us to do everything we need to meet the state's standards here in one facility."

Collard said a dedicated facility was needed. During renovations, the academy was moved to the Valley Campus in Allendale. On the Valley Campus, setup and teardown of equipment, as well as moving it across campus, took up valuable time. On the Meijer Holland Campus, the equipment is housed and ready to go in a dedicated room.

Academy instructor Gary Lathan said the Holland Campus alleviates logistical issues, like finding open classrooms to hold lessons in.

“Summertime wasn't as bad, but when we did the fall academy, you've got students going to different classes, and that's always a workaround,” said Lathan, who has spent nearly 30 years in law enforcement and worked with the academy since 2008.

Some of the major renovations to the Holland Campus include a larger classroom, a drive track for simulated road stops and emergency vehicle training, four scenario rooms for simulating evidence collection and other exercises, a weight and fitness center, a mat room for restraint training and a virtual reality training room.

“It's allowed us to continue to expand upon the long tradition of law enforcement training and meeting the standards that have been set over generations in law enforcement here at Grand Valley,” Collard said about the renovations.

Lathan said he has seen a stronger sense of belonging among the recruits since the campus was renovated.

“I think they feel like they’re a bit more thought about while being here because they have their own dedicated space,” he said.

The Grand Valley Police Academy remains one of the top academies in Michigan, with 92.6 percent of recruits completing the academy and 99.6 percent securing employment.

The academy exceeds the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards requirements by offering additional training courses to recruits, including unbiased policing and decision making, individual mental health and well-being, and de-escalation and law enforcement.

Collard said being on the newly renovated campus has enhanced the academy's ability to provide excellent training through increased efficiency and creating a stronger balance between training, studies and personal life for recruits.