Papillion council approves renewal of Sarpy-Douglas Law Enforcement Academy agreement

The Papillion City Council voted unanimously July 7 to approve resolution R-260127, renewing the interlocal agreement that governs the Sarpy-Douglas Law Enforcement Academy (SDLEA), an academy made up of Papillion, La Vista, Bellevue, Sarpy County, Douglas County and Metro Community College. The motion carried 7-0.

During discussion, Councilman Mungard asked staff to explain the purpose of the SDLEA and why the agreement was being renewed. The police chief responded that the SDLEA provides “high-end training” tailored to member agencies and their employees and that the renewed interlocal refocuses instruction on agency personnel. The chief said a previous point of disagreement—Metro’s interest in allowing non-member, non-employee students from other counties to enroll—was resolved in favor of restricting training to member-agency employees.

Mayor Black and council members stressed the academy’s role in providing coordinated training across local agencies and noted the agreement comes forward for renewal approximately every three years. The resolution was introduced as item C4 and discussed at length before the council’s unanimous vote.

The renewal ensures continuing cooperative training among the listed jurisdictions; no changes to membership were approved at the meeting and Metro Community College’s involvement remains as a member entity providing facilities and police staffing where applicable. The council did not take additional action to expand enrollment beyond member agencies at this session.