Río Hondo College Receives Nearly $1 Million in Federal Funding to Upgrade Police Training Center

Whittier, California – Río Hondo College’s Police Academy Regional Training Center will continue preparing cadets for a career in law enforcement through state-of-the-art virtual reality technology and physical learning environments thanks to nearly $1 million in federal funding delivered by Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez during a check-presentation ceremony on April 26.

Congresswoman Sánchez secured $963,000 in federal funding for Río Hondo College to upgrade its Police Academy Regional Training Center through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, which was signed by President Joe Biden on March 9. RHC’s Police Academy has been developing leaders in law enforcement since 1964 and provides its cadets with 21st-century police training.

“Río Hondo College and its Board of Trustees are grateful to Congresswoman Sánchez for her leadership in securing community funding for our future scenario-based/simulation training center,” Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores said. “Funding updated physical equipment and technology that produces realistic scenarios for our cadets is critical to helping them become fully trained officers and prepared first-responders.”

Río Hondo College’s Police Academy Regional Training Center is a hub where pre-service cadets from all over Southern California train for a career in law enforcement. The new scenario-based learning environments and virtual reality technology will place cadets in emotionally charged, simulated settings that reflect real law enforcement incidents, allowing them to safely learn from mistakes and improve their performance and responses.

“The rapid improvements in physical learning environments and technology allow us to better train the future officers and first responders that will serve our community,” Congresswoman Sánchez said. “These funds will help the college conduct more scenario-based and simulation training to prepare the cadets for their new careers.”

MEDIA RELEASE

3600 Workman Mill Road / Whittier, CA 90601

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: April 29, 2024
CONTACT: Ruthie Retana
(562) 463-3145

Notice of Public Hearings

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING – The California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Sections 58301 and 58305 require the governing board of each community college district to hold a public hearing and adopt a final budget on or before September 15 each year.

The adoption of the 2025-2026 Río Hondo Community College District budget is scheduled for the September 10, 2025, Board meeting at 6:00PM. In accordance with CCR Title 5, §58301, the governing board of each district shall hold a public hearing on the proposed budget before its adoption. This will provide the public with advance notice of the hearing at the September 10 Board meeting.

Please visit the Río Hondo Community College District’s Board of Trustees Agendas and Minutes website to view the agenda for September 10, 2025.

The Board of Trustees Agendas and Minutes web can be accessed via the following link – http://go.boarddocs.com/ca/riohondo/Board.nsf/public Select the featured meeting of September 10, 2025

The proposed 2025-2026 Adopted Budget will be available for public display and review from September 8 to September 10 at the District Office, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601, on the 2nd floor, L-Tower area between 8:30AM and 5:00PM. The public hearing is scheduled for September 10, 2025, at the regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting at 6:00PM.

Questions and/or comments should be directed to the Office of Finance & Business Services at (562) 463-7099.