What is this Project?

Phase One bond funding up to $36,395,000 has been earmarked for this project, which includes a new police headquarters building that will provide the capacity for public safety to keep up with our growing city. The new facility will be a campus concept including three buildings: one for the main police department, housing all personnel; another for training, with vehicle and evidence storage; and finally, an indoor pistol and rifle firing range. This campus concept will increase the efficiency and operational readiness of the police department, which in turn will improve safety, service, and accessibility to our citizens. 

Why is it Important?

The current police facility is beyond capacity to accommodate current staffing levels. There is no further capacity for growth in the current location, either for personnel or storage, and the number of personnel has nearly doubled in that time. 

• There is limited public and handicap accessibility in the current space. The new facilities will be fully ADA accessible to all residents.
• The department’s current firing range was built in the early 1960s on a former water treatment facility, which regularly floods in heavy rains, making the range unusable. Although we are currently working with Washington County Sheriff's Office to use their handgun range, our department’s access is limited, and the county’s range is restricted to handguns only. The new facility will allow for pistol and long-gun training for all officers in a safe, enclosed environment.
• The new facility will include additional meeting and training space host public meetings as well as self-defense classes, tactical training, or de-escalation of force training to officers and the public.
• The new headquarters will provide much-needed additional storage space, with room to expand. 
• A new facility will greatly expand available space for evidence processing.
• Both men’s and women’s locker rooms in the current space are at or beyond capacity. As our force expands to match population growth, the new facility will offer plenty of space for both male and female personnel.