Bruche was originally opened to provide accommodation for U.S. Army Air Force officers during the Second World War.
[2] Police forces from the northern part of England and Wales sent new recruits to the centre for the main part of their basic training, which consisted of the development of important attitudes and behaviours, law training and officer safety tactics.
Newly recruited probationary officers would spend a solid 15 weeks at Bruche before ever stepping onto the street, after having also spent time at their own Force's regional training centre(s).
[3] In 2003, an investigative journalist trained undercover at Bruche, and exposed some police officers that used racist behaviour and language.
When the police training system changed in 2006 Ashford, Cwmbran and Bruche centres closed.