ATLANTA – Thirty-five people have been detained following protests and violence at the construction site of a new police training facility in Atlanta, Georgia.

The so-called “Cop City” training site has been the subject of controversy in the local community, which claims the facility will only exacerbate existing issues with police brutality.

On Monday night, several demonstrators gathered outside the construction site, waving signs and chanting slogans. However, the situation escalated quickly, with some individuals setting fire to a construction vehicle and throwing bricks at the site.

Police were quick to respond and detained 35 people in connection with the violent incident. Officers claim that the individuals were arrested for charges ranging from vandalism to assault of a police officer.

The incident has sparked further debate around police reform and training practices in the US, with many critics arguing that the current system is outdated and inadequate.

Meanwhile, the construction site has been closed indefinitely, and authorities have vowed to investigate the incident thoroughly.