GVSU's Academy of Community and Public Safety finishing first year at renovated Holland Campus

In the fall of 2024, the Grand Valley Academy of Community and Public Safety completed its first session on its newly renovated campus in Holland. Since then, the academy has totaled three graduating classes and will have completed a full year in Holland at the conclusion of its 56th class's graduation ceremony in December.

"The new space is a blessing for law enforcement, in general," said Geoffrey Collard, the police academy's director. "It allows us to do everything we need to meet the state's standards here in one facility."

Collard said a dedicated facility was needed. During renovations, the academy was moved to the Valley Campus in Allendale. On the Valley Campus, setup and teardown of equipment, as well as moving it across campus, took up valuable time. On the Meijer Holland Campus, the equipment is housed and ready to go in a dedicated room.

Academy instructor Gary Lathan said the Holland Campus alleviates logistical issues, like finding open classrooms to hold lessons in.

"Summertime wasn't as bad, but when we did the fall academy, you've got students going to different classes, and that's always a workaround," said Lathan, who has spent nearly 30 years in law enforcement and worked with the academy since 2008.