Chattanooga police are planning to train future officers in a classroom on Chattanooga State Community College's campus this year.
The police department hopes to lease a classroom from the college for $1,000 for the duration of the six-month police cadet academy, according to a city resolution.
Chattanooga City Council members are expected to vote on the proposed contract at tonight's council meeting. If approved, the lease will last from April through September.
Police declined to say why the department needed the classroom space.
This is the first time Chattanooga State has contracted to bring Chattanooga police to the campus, said Kim McCormick, provost and vice president for academic affairs.
"We're really excited about this partnership and opportunity," she said. "We think it's going to be great for our students to have the cadets here on campus. And it will be great for the police department as well. We think the visibility of the cadets on this campus will serve a good recruiting tool."
McCormick said the agreement is strictly to share space. College personnel won't be involved in the training of the cadets.
"But we are definitely looking at partnerships down the road," she said.
The latest police cadet academy started on Friday.
"While this is not a done deal, it shows an abundance of potential for strengthening law enforcement as a viable employment opportunity," Chief Fred Fletcher said.
Cadets receive full pay while in the academy, according to the police department's website. The training covers topics such as firearms, search and seizure, criminal law, defensive driving, DUI enforcement, physical fitness and report writing.
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