ARTESIA, NM – On January 10, 2025, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open its new outdoor gymnasium at the Artesia Training Delivery Point (TDP) in New Mexico.

The state-of-the-art facility, designed to enhance law enforcement trainees’ physical and mental well-being, reflects FLETC’s commitment to fostering a healthier, more resilient workforce. 

In his remarks at the ceremony, FLETC-Artesia Site Director Dr. Robert Price emphasized the importance of investing in officer wellness and promoting a culture of health from the very beginning of an officer’s career.

“This outdoor gym is part of a larger system that is adaptable to address any changes in the training environment, said Site Director Price.  This facility provides the best resources to new law enforcement officers at the beginning of their careers to set and reinforce health and fitness behaviors.”

The opening of the outdoor gymnasium is an ongoing collaborative effort between FLETC and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to provide comprehensive training that prepares law enforcement officers for the complexities of their roles. With an emphasis on mental health, physical fitness, and stress management, FLETC continues to welcome opportunities to develop future law enforcement professionals who are skilled and resilient.

“The facility is a direct result of the strong partnership between FLETC and CBP, but it will benefit all agencies that train here,” said Site Director Price. “It will continue to serve as a testament to the value of our combined efforts and represent our unwavering dedication to providing innovative, practical, and flexible training environments.”

Partner organization representatives from the U.S. Border Patrol, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the U.S. Secret Service, and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration attended the ceremony.
 
Before breaking ground in 2023, the United States Border Patrol Academy (USBPA) secured the funding to purchase container gyms. These were four 40-foot Conex boxes with gym equipment inside including a 40-foot canopy system. The Outdoor Gym venue was reconfigured to include this new purchase from USBPA. 

Today, the new facility has a footprint of nearly 13,000 square feet of training space, with artificial turf covering all areas. It can accommodate cardio, weightlifting, and aerobic training activities for several classes running simultaneously. It will prove to be a tremendous asset for FLETC Artesia and FLETC’s partner organizations for years to come.

FLETC opened the Artesia TDP on October 21, 1989.  The original expectation of daily training capacity was 150 students.  Over the past 35 years, the Artesia TDP’s daily student population has grown tremendously. With the expansion of a new dormitory in 2023, FLETC-Artesia's daily occupancy capability can now accommodate 1,408 students.

A component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FLETC provides basic and career-long training to law enforcement professionals to help them fulfill their responsibilities safely and proficiently. FLETC trains and supports the training of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers and international partners that are responsible for enforcing law, treaties, and regulations with the United States and abroad. 

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Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
Office of Public Affairs
Contact: 912-267-2447