Scruggs warns that proposed transfer would delay state simulation training center

DLS analyst Josh Weinstock told the Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee that the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission (MPTSC) fund has grown because of fee revenue and that DLS recommends transferring $2 million of the projected fund balance to the general fund. The analyst noted the fund supports training projects and a planned scenario‑based simulation training environment with estimated construction costs between $5 million and $7 million.

Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs and Public Safety Education and Training Center Executive Director Kate Gossard told the committee that the department opposes the transfer. Scruggs said the $5 million starting fund balance and contract obligations are tied to multiyear construction and capital commitments and that transferring $2 million would “have a devastating impact on the construction of the scenario based simulation training environment.” Gossard added that architectural and engineering work is already underway and that transferring funds would likely defer construction.

The PCTC analysis also described the fund’s recent increased use for learning‑management system licensing, professional development, and training equipment. Board representatives noted ongoing priorities including LMS maintenance, audio/video upgrades and classroom modernizations. Committee members pressed the department for details about priorities and contingencies should the fund balance decline.

The hearing included focused discussion about curriculum and officer certification. Wayne Silver, executive director of the Police Training and Standards Commission, described academy requirements (minimum 850 hours), integration of de‑escalation across training modules and the commission’s use of the national decertification index. Silver said the commission has added perjury statements to certification documents and increased audits and revocation hearings to prevent cross‑jurisdictional hiring of officers with serious misconduct histories.

No committee motion or vote was recorded during deliberations. The department said it would provide additional project‑level expenditure plans and the committee asked for follow‑up information on scheduled disbursements for the simulation training project.