By Mark Woolsey

Top officials with Cobb County police  got a chance to “break in” the department’s brand-new indoor firing range this week.

Chief Dan Ferrell, along with command and training staffers, took the coveted “first shot” as the $21 million facility officially came online. Each staffer fired a single round.

Police say the new facility will enable officers to train on weaponry year-round and will enhance proficiency. And they say with the facility replacing a prior outdoor training range, the noise impact on the  community will be reduced.

Builder Catamount Constructors notes that it’s a 93 thousand-square-foot-plus  addition to the existing Cobb County Public Safety Police Academy at 2435 East-West Connector in Austell. It contains three shooting ranges. There are two 50-yard tactical ranges plus a 100-yard rifle range, they say.

Also included are secured ammo and target storage rooms/workshops, gun cleaning rooms and training classrooms.

Cobb County Commissioners signed off on the project in August of 2024.