Weapons training, public handgun licensing, officer courses among uses for new center

MASSILLON – The Stark County Sheriff's Office launched a new officer-based instructional mission on Monday, allowing the agency to have a full-time presence in the city by opening a training center that includes a handgun licensing station.

The new 11,000 square-foot Stark County Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Training Center has a pair of indoor gun ranges, a concealed handgun licensing and background check office and classrooms to host training courses, as well as other police engagement efforts.

Although the two shooting ranges may be seen by some as a more popular aspect of the center at 143 First St. SE, Sheriff George Maier stressed that building well-rounded deputies and police officers are just as vital, if not more so.