Samarcand Training Academy
Occupying 430 acres in Moore County, Samarcand Training Academy provides basic, in-service and advanced training for DPS law enforcement agencies, as well as correctional officers, probation/parole officers and juvenile justice employees. Other local, state and federal agencies also may conduct training at the facility from time to time.
Originally opened in 1914 as a boys open-air school, the campus was repurposed in 2013 when the NC General Assembly allocated funding to convert the former school into a corrections and law enforcement training center. The state legislature initially designated $10.4 million to renovate 14 buildings in Phase I and two years later earmarked another $2.89 million to build the Academy’s Firearms Training Center. The newly-established training facility opened in fall 2015, while the Academy’s firearms training center, with a range house and two outdoor ranges, opened in June 2017. The NC General Assembly designated an additional $8.5 million in 2016 for Phase II construction to renovate three additional dormitories, an academic building and construct a new dining hall which opened spring 2019.
Samarcand offers 11 classrooms, dormitory space to house 172 students and 14 instructors, a newly constructed dining hall, and a firearms training center with two ranges and a range house.. The campus also includes a state-of-the-art use of force training simulator, and an obstacle and conditioning course.
Samarcand's Mission
To provide a training facility that enhances and encourages the ability of North Carolina Department of Public Safety employees to learn and develop the skills necessary to safeguard and preserve the lives and property of North Carolinians through prevention, protection and preparation, with integrity and honor.
Reserve equipment, classrooms, lodging and more for your next visit.
Samarcand originally opened in 1914 as an open-air school for boys and was known as Marienfeld Open-Air School from 1914-1916.
In 1917, the North Carolina Legislature purchased the 230 acres and in 1918 it became the State Home and Industrial School for Girls and Women, a correctional institution for young women.
In 1974, the state changed the name of the institution to Samarkand Manor and placed it under the purview of the North Carolina Department of Human Resources, Youth Division.
Samarkand Manor became one of five state training schools designed to rehabilitate delinquent children (both male and female) between the ages of 10 and 17. The school shifted its emphasis to treatment and therapy.
In 2011, the Division of Juvenile Justice closed Samarkand Manor and the property remained vacant until 2012 when Moore County Legislator James Boles Jr., submitted a bill to the North Carolina Legislature to provide funding to convert Samarkand Manor into a Corrections and Law Enforcement Training Center for the newly formed Department of Public Safety.
Session Law 2013-360 appropriated approximately $10.4 million dollars for DPS to renovate 14 buildings as well as build a firearms range. This Phase I conversion project included the renovation of six classrooms, dormitories to house 94 overnight students, and food services capabilities (cafeteria.)
Initial construction began in late 2014 and the Academy began conducting commuter classes in August 2015 with the implementation of Basic Correctional Officer Training.
During the following years, the academy continued to develop into the premier training facility that it is today.
In January 2023, the NC Department of Public Instruction’s Center for Safer Schools officially opened its temporary training facility on Samarcand’s Moore County campus. It features a newly renovated academic building, including two classrooms and two offices with seven adjacent cubicles.
The temporary facility will serve as a short-term home for CFSS while construction of a new state-of-the-art facility in nearby Montgomery County is underway.
Facility
In February 2022, the Department of Public Safety purchased 113 acres on the edge of the Town of Biscoe North Carolina, approximately 8 miles from Samarcand’s main campus in Moore County. This property was formerly the East Montgomery High School. The property is comprised of 113 acres.
The facility includes a fieldhouse, football field, baseball field, softball field, running track and auditorium.
Trainings
View all current Center for Safety Schools training courses.
Coming Soon
Coming Soon
The facility is always evolving, and future plans include:
- K9 Obstacle Course
- Running Track with Outdoor Fitness Park
- Laundry Storage Building
- Driving Track
- Indoor Live Firearms Range
- New Gymnasium with large Locker Rooms