El Mirage to join Glendale regional public-safety training center in multi‑year agreement

The El Mirage Common Council on July 1 approved an intergovernmental agreement to join the Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center (Gripstick), a multi‑agency training facility located a few miles from El Mirage.

Police Chief (name given in transcript as Police Chief Marzocca) described the city’s training challenges: the department lacks a local firearms range, vehicle driving track, defensive-tactics mat room, canine and POPAT fitness assessment courses, a virtual‑reality judgmental‑decision room and a shoot house that together are needed for recurring training and qualification. The chief said roughly 50% of the patrol force has less than three years of service and stressed that recurring, protected training is central to skills and liability reduction.

Chief Marzocca told council joining Gripstick would provide easy access to range and scenario‑based training less than three miles away, avoiding long drive times to distant ranges and providing a controlled, dedicated training environment. He noted other agencies that use the facility and the benefit of coordinated calendar access or using partner agencies’ classes when necessary.

Councilmember discussion touched on usage cadence, instructor availability, summertime heat and liability; several councilmembers expressed support for improving training access. The council approved the intergovernmental agreement; one councilmember recorded a nay but the motion carried.

Why it matters: Access to a modern, consolidated training facility affects ongoing officer certification, proficiency and department readiness. The city said joining Gripstick is less expensive and more feasible than building and maintaining a comparable facility locally.

Next steps: Staff and the police department will finalize the city’s membership details, coordinate scheduling access and manage budgetary impacts as part of approved spending.