Now it’s up to the governor, after Legislature approves funding solution for Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy

INDIANAPOLIS – Legislation sponsored by State Rep. Chuck Moseley (D-Portage) that would help Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (NILEA) seek additional funding is advancing to Gov. Mike Pence for final approval.

Members of the Indiana House today passed Senate Bill 193, which would designate the NILEA as a criminal justice agency that can apply for federal grants. Since House members offered no amendments, the legislation goes straight to Gov. Pence for his consideration.

“Being able to apply for and receive federal grant funding will make it easier for the academy to train more officers and improve the building itself,” said Moseley. “The NILEA is a branch of the police academy in Plainfield, but satellites don’t qualify for federal grants under current law.

“This bill would help solve the academy’s funding problem by simply providing the same capabilities afforded to Plainfield,” he added.

In 1982, President Bill Clinton signed a bill into law that allowed police departments across the country to hire more officers. As a result, Plainfield’s law enforcement academy was completely full and had a one-year waiting period.

The NILEA and a similar police academy in Southwest Indiana were developed to meet the growing demand for additional officers. Both regional academies are community-focused, offering training curriculums designed specifically for officers who live in those areas.