Michael Birzer is a professor in the School of Criminal Justice and director of the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub at Wichita State University. Before he entered academia, he served in law enforcement, retiring at the rank of lieutenant. Cities across the U.S. are struggling to recruit skilled workers, modernize government and prepare the next generation of public servants. Too often, they overlook one of the most powerful partners they already have to accomplish those goals: their local university. The Wichita-Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Training Center is a case in point. Eight years ago, during a leg-stretching pause in a meeting between representatives from Wichita State University and the city of Wichita to select a new police chief, our city manager brought up the need for a new police academy. I saw an opportunity that would benefit Wichita State students, local law enforcement and the community. The training center is a collaborative effort between the university, the local police department and the sheriff’s office. It functions as both a training ground and a venue for recruits and officers pursuing their required annual continuing education and certification. One floor is dedicated to the University’s School of Criminal Justice, which includes faculty members who are former law enforcement officers and experts in fields such as criminal forensics, cybercrime and domestic violence. By integrating academic and practical environments, the program addresses the need for current and relevant training for both new police recruits and active law enforcement officers. Trainers in law enforcement benefit from one of the nation’s most advanced simulated environments. In addition, they leverage data from criminal justice researchers to make informed hiring decisions and utilize ongoing job analysis data to ensure promotions are more objective. Our faculty members engage in applied research to develop and sustain evidence-based practices in