Car-Chase Central : Officials Inaugurate $29-Million Training Facility for Police

Amid demonstrations of high-speed car chases and simulated shootouts with criminals, police and city officials on Monday unveiled a $29-million state-of-the-art training facility named after former Chief Edward M. Davis.

Referring to Davis, 81, as “a legend in the LAPD and legend among law enforcement agencies throughout the world,” Mayor Richard Riordan said the center named in Davis’ honor will make today’s officers “better at what they do best: protecting and serving Angelenos.”

Davis, who served as chief from 1969 to 1978 and was later a state senator, was lauded by a flock of dignitaries including Riordan, City Councilwoman Laura Chick and Police Chief Bernard C. Parks.

Though physically frail, Davis showed a still strong sense of humor.

Noting that he borrowed the idea for his crowning achievement--Neighborhood Watch--from the writings of Britain’s Sir Robert Peel, Davis quipped:

“Really we should call this the Peel Center, because that’s what they’ll be doing out there--peeling out!”

He was then ushered off the stage for the inaugural drive around the sprawling facility’s training track.

Situated on 44 acres at the base of the Van Norman Bypass Reservoir, the center also includes three firing ranges and a mock city scene where recruits and officers can practice handling such emergencies as bank robberies and hostage situations.

Recruit training is expected to begin in January.

“I think this facility is going to give us a considerable advantage in training our officers,” Parks said.