SLEA Facilities
The Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) at College of DuPage is supported by two specialized facilities: the Robert J. Miller Homeland Security Education Center (HEC) and the Homeland Security Training Center (HTC). Together, these state-of-the-art facilities provide dedicated spaces and advanced technology for law enforcement, fire science, emergency response and homeland security training, including simulation labs, forensic and cybercrime facilities, an immersive training lab and a 50-yard indoor firing range.
Robert J. Miller Homeland Security Education Center (HEC)
The Robert J. Miller Homeland Security Education Center (HEC) is a premier training hub, housing Criminal and Justice Studies, Fire Science Technology programs, the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA), and the COD Police Department. This cutting-edge facility is equipped with specialized resources, including forensics and cybercrime labs, an Internet crime investigation lab, an ambulance simulator, a mock courtroom/auditorium, a simulation hazmat/smoke room, and the first non-military municipal 4-D immersive training lab.
One of the standout features of the HEC is its life-size street scene, which includes fire truck bays, an ambulance simulator, and fully operational fire hydrants. This unique street scene is the only one of its kind in the nation, providing students with realistic, hands-on training in a dynamic urban environment.
The HEC is rapidly enhancing COD's reputation as a national leader in homeland security education, setting the stage for the next generation of emergency responders, law enforcement professionals, and security experts.
World Trade Center Beam Memorial
Installed on Sept. 1, 2011 and located in the College of DuPage Sgt. Robert J. Miller Homeland Security Education, this I-beam comes from one of the World Trade Center towers. The 27” by 127” section weighs more than 1,000 pounds and is thought to have come from a lower floor at the center of one of the towers. The concrete attached to one end of the beam provides a haunting reminder of the floor where it originally connected.
College of DuPage applied to the New York Port Authority for a relic from the towers, along with thousands of other applicants, and was one of the few institutions and organizations selected to receive this piece of history. Its location on campus, in a building designed to train first responders, is a fitting memorial to the heroism and tragedy of that fateful day in 2001.
Homeland Security Training Center (HTC)
The Homeland Security Training Center (HTC) is dedicated to expanding the capabilities of first responders through comprehensive, hands-on training. This state-of-the-art facility features advanced firearms training, interactive shoot/don’t shoot simulations, and weapons cleaning and repair training, ensuring first responders are fully prepared for real-world scenarios.
Key features of the HTC include:
- 50-Yard, 24-Position Indoor Firing Range: The unique, indoor range provides a safe and controlled environment for first responders to hone their firearms skills.
- Safe and Environmentally Friendly: The range is lead-free, preserving both the safety of trainees and the environment.
- Interactive Simulation: Shoot/don’t shoot simulations offer realistic decision-making scenarios, allowing responders to practice critical thinking under pressure.
- Weapons Cleaning and Repair: Comprehensive training on the maintenance and repair of firearms ensures that first responders are well-equipped to keep their equipment in optimal condition.
The HTC’s advanced training facilities play a crucial role in preparing first responders to face the challenges of modern-day security threats with confidence and expertise.
Maps and Directions
The Robert J. Miller Homeland Security Education Center (HEC) at College of DuPage is located at the intersection of Fawell Boulevard and Lambert Road in Glen Ellyn, IL. The campus is accessible by driving south from Roosevelt Road or north from Butterfield Road on Park Boulevard or Lambert Road.
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