The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and the Department of General Services (DGS) marked a major step forward in their multi-phase effort to modernize the PSP training complex with a “topping out” ceremony—an event that signifies the placement of the final steel beam on the Marquee Building, the flagship structure of the new Pennsylvania State Police Academy.

The ceremony, held on the construction site in Hershey, celebrated not only the structural progress of the project but also the collaborative effort between state agencies, construction teams, and public safety leaders to bring the new Academy to life. Officials emphasized that the project remains on schedule and on budget, a critical success given its scale and significance.

“Every step of this project brings us closer to providing our cadets with a world-class training facility that meets all their needs for success,” said PSP Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris. “The Pennsylvania State Police Academy is the nation’s best police academy, producing our country’s finest law enforcement officers. These new facilities ensure we continue to attract recruits of the highest caliber and prepare them for 21st-century policing in the best possible environment.”

The Marquee Building, a five-story, 250,000-square-foot structure overlooking Hersheypark Drive, will serve as the new hub for cadet training and operations. When completed, it will feature classrooms, administrative offices, 300 private dorm rooms for cadets, a 500-seat auditorium, and a large cafeteria. The modern design is expected to improve the overall experience for both cadets and staff, supporting training, recruitment, and retention goals.

“Today is an important milestone in the construction of the new PSP Academy,” said DGS Secretary Reggie McNeil. “The placement of this final steel beam signifies not only the culmination of extensive planning and precision engineering, but an enduring commitment to the highest standards of public safety and law enforcement training.”

During the ceremony, PSP command staff signed the beam and extended their appreciation to the construction crews who worked under challenging conditions, including sweltering summer temperatures and freezing winter days. Since the project broke ground in December 2023, workers have connected over 1,900 tons of steel, forming the framework that will support the Academy’s primary building.

Looking Ahead: Phase Two and Beyond

The completion of the Marquee Building, expected by fall 2026, will usher in the next phase of the $X-million redevelopment project. Phase Two involves the demolition of the current PSP Academy, which dates back to the 1960s, to make room for a series of advanced training and support facilities.

Key highlights of the second phase include:

• A 25-lane indoor shooting range to support firearms proficiency training in all weather conditions.
• A new physical education building, equipped with gymnasiums, a weight room, and a training tank for aquatic and tactical drills.
• Expanded tactical training villages, where cadets and troopers will simulate high-risk scenarios such as hostage rescues, active shooter incidents, and search operations.

The 146-acre campus will also house a new headquarters for the Bureau of Emergency Operations, already under construction on the west side of the property. Meanwhile, new stables for PSP’s Mounted Unit are nearing completion, further emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the upgrade.

Once complete, the campus will boast more than 366,000 square feet of modern facilities, providing the infrastructure necessary for the next generation of law enforcement professionals.

Keeping Training Continuous

Despite the scale of the construction, the Academy has remained fully operational throughout, with careful planning to avoid disruption to ongoing training programs. Outdated structures have been demolished to make space, but cadets have continued their coursework and drills with minimal interruption.

Officials say the new Academy is designed not only to meet current needs, but also to adapt to future demands in policing, technology, and public safety.

By 2028, when the final buildings are expected to be completed, the Pennsylvania State Police Academy will be one of the most advanced law enforcement training campuses in the country—an institution capable of shaping the next generation of state troopers for decades to come.

Originally reported by Penn Watch.