Old schoolhouse gets new life as police academy

A former elementary school campus in Auburn, California, has been transformed into the temporary site for the Placer County Sheriff's Office's new Regional Training Academy. This development comes in response to a substantial rise in demand for law enforcement training over the last five years, necessitating more Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) academy facilities.

The academy features 11 classrooms converted into realistic training environments designed to simulate various scenarios officers might face. These spaces challenge recruits to assess threats and make critical decisions under pressure, preparing them for unpredictable situations.

This new academy, operating out of the former Rock Creek Elementary School, marks the first new regional POST academy to open in California in two decades. It will serve as a temporary location until the Sierra College Regional Public Safety Training Center is completed.

The inaugural class of nearly 50 recruits is slated to begin in August 2026. The academy will conduct two 24-week sessions annually, providing approximately 950 hours of instruction and offering about 30 college credit units through a partnership with Sierra College. Nine outside agencies have already committed to sending their recruits for training, indicating strong interest and demand.