A gift from the Thomas J. Evans Foundation helped turn a vision into reality with the opening of Thomas J. Evans Hall. The new facility provides realistic, hands-on training opportunities that will help COTC continue producing highly qualified law enforcement professionals.

Jim Rease is finally ready to unpack his office. Once fatigued by five moves in three years, he long kept the decorations contained. But COTC’s police academy commander can no longer contain his excitement. Just like the programs he oversees, he’s home.

The new abode is dubbed Thomas J. Evans Hall, funded by the foundation bearing that same name and dedicated to COTC’s thriving public safety programs. Christened by a collection of important supporters, including state and local officials, Evans Hall opened its doors during a grand opening ceremony in October 2026.

“We’re excited about the extra space to keep producing highly trained deputies and officers for this community,” Rease said. “Evans Hall is a godsend for us. I think the vision came together nicely.”

It was spurred during Jeff Sowards’ days as commander. He took over in 2014, when COTC’s police academies occupied the Pataskala campus. Sowards supervised the relocation to Adena Hall in 2019, inheriting its locker room, recreational spaces and centralized location on the Newark campus.

“We evolved and consolidated everything here,” Sowards stated, “which we thought would provide a better product.”

An even better idea was brewing. In 2020, Sowards learned the Thomas J. Evans Foundation agreed to purchase the building that would develop into Evans Hall, located less than a mile from campus. Three years later, during Rease’s first month as commander, the first blueprints were produced. He polled Sowards, his predecessor and longtime coworker at the Columbus Police Department and COTC, for opinions. They bounced ideas about the proposed layout. They connected with Evans Hall’s architects and canvassed local agencies sending students through the academies. They advocated for a facility equipped to give cadets the most realistic preparation possible.

“We can’t train them for every scenario they’ll see,” Rease acknowledged, “but we think our approach will bring better results not only for themselves and their safety, but also for their communities.”

Major moves in construction started in 2025. Meanwhile, Rease made many moves of his own, inhabiting multiple offices in Adena and, during its renovations, temporary ones in the Reese Center and Hopewell Hall. He felt separated from his students and shared their eagerness for a new, more spacious home. Even alumni were enthused to view the finished product.

“They want to be role players in our scenarios,” Rease said, “just so they can also see and enjoy the facility.”

Community members were permitted that same luxury during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. They browsed the building’s command center and modular training rooms, learning exactly what it takes to continue powering public safety programs that have produced some of the state’s best test scores and a 100% employment rate.

The foundation’s dollars are being spent wisely, and COTC’s faith in these programs is not lost on us. We want to live up to it.

Rease’s once-hidden adornments now live up on the walls and shelves of his much-anticipated permanent office. Evans Hall is exactly where they — plus these academies and its leaders — belong.

“It’s much better over here,” the commander confirmed. “We needed this place.”