Erie County Sheriff unveils $2 million tactical training center

The Erie County Sheriff and FBI Buffalo field office now has a new, state of the art facility to handle tactical training.

The two agencies worked together to fund the $2 million training center in Alden. It includes two automated firing ranges with individual control towers, classroom facilities and a live shoot house.

Members of the ECSO SWAT Team broke in the new facility with demonstrations Friday morning.

“Today, law enforcement agencies have to train for an ever-growing number of threats and all level of law enforcement officers must be able to prepare and train with the best equipment and at the best facilities to respond to these threats,” Sheriff Timothy Howard said in a statement. “And with the FBI partnership, the commitment of my office, and other county leaders, we have one of the best facilities around.”

The center is used by the Sheriff's SWAT Team, bomb squad, road patrol and jail management division for specialized training and firearms qualification.

It will also be instrumental for training FBI agents.

The live shoot house allows teams to train at real speed and use live rounds. It simulates active shooter or hostage situations.