Advanced Counter-Terrorism Training Facility Simulates Village Setting

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Australia has been upgrading its counter-terrorism capabilities. Queensland’s counter-terrorism unit will start training in a new village simulation. The planned $46.7 million counter-terrorism hub will be part of a large Westgate police complex, which will ultimately include training, specialist and logistics hubs.

The “scenario village” will include a train station platform, houses, pub and open parkland, according to brisbanetimes.com. Next to the fake village will be a simulation training building, featuring a “scenario house” for drills and briefing rooms. An observation platform will be built above the scenario house room within the building, presumably so instructors can watch over the exercises. Nearby, will sit a large building, containing two indoor firing ranges, which will support annual firearms assessments for police officers and advanced training to deal with “active armed offender” threats.

The new counter-terrorism facility will be co-located with the police driving skills section.  In addition to these new facilities, there are also plans for a future childcare centre and tennis courts within the complex. Police Minister Mark Ryan said seeing as the national threat level was still “probable”, it’s crucial that Queensland Police Service was equipped with the resources and officers needed to respond to any critical incidents.

“The facility is planned to become a training hub for all officers and other agencies, including the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Queensland Ambulance Service and Australian Federal Police,” he said. The facility’s construction will generate more than 130 jobs and is due to be completed in 2020.

Another innovation from Queensland’s law enforcers, as reported on couriermail.com is a  $4 million command centre. The Police has refused to reveal the exact location of the command centre, which will use the city’s network of CCTV cameras as well as digital radio and GPS tracking technology.