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College Unveils Police Simulator & Discusses Transfer of Police Academy

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College unveiled its new police simulator to local police chiefs and personnel and local legislative officials at a luncheon that included a tour and demonstration.

The new, state-of-the-art police simulator resides on the lower level of the College’s Richland Campus (101 Community College Way, Johnstown, PA 15904). This new technology recreates over 750 real world scenarios in a safe and controlled environment with varying responses to resistance. Its main purpose is to put officers in real-life, on the job scenarios for an optimal training experience.

The simulator is available to rent on an hourly basis to qualified individuals and organizations. Please contact Julie Davis, Workforce Education Manager, at 814.262.3813 or jdavis@pennh.25comm.com. The cost to rent is only $85 per hour.

In addition to showcasing the new police simulator, Penn Highlands also discussed the transfer of the Regional Police Academy from the Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center to the College. The transfer of the Police Academy is slated for completion in the spring of 2022, with the first set of classes being held in the fall of 2022.

“Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is thrilled to be operating the Johnstown Regional Police Academy,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, College President. “The College is focused on providing the residents of Cambria, Blair, Somerset, Huntingdon, and surrounding counties with high-quality opportunities to earn an Act 120 Certification to become a municipal police officer; while providing additional training opportunities for current police officers with our state-of-the-art police training simulator.”

Robert Farinelli, Vice President of Academic Affairs, also expressed excitement for these 2022 additions.

“Having the Johnstown Regional Police Academy housed at Penn Highlands allows the College to meet the needs of the local community by allowing students to become municipal police officers, to pursue an associate degree in criminal justice, and to provide continuing education opportunities to our local law enforcement officers,” Farinelli stated. “The police training simulator is great and will enhance the experiences of all these interested groups.”

The Regional Police Academy is a certified unit of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (Act 120). Graduates who successfully complete the approved curriculum will be permitted to test for a Commonwealth Municipal Police Training (MPT) number, which is required of all municipal police officers in Pennsylvania. An MPT number is essential for employment in almost all basic and many related law enforcement occupations.

For more details on all areas of training within the Police Academy, and additional contact information, visit the Police Academy online here.