News

The groundbreaking ceremony of the new Westminster Police Department headquarters building marked the beginning of a two year construction project. Griffin Structures is the Program Manager for the project, which is being delivered “at risk” using Integrated Project Delivery (IPD).  The 92,000 square foot police headquarters building will be constructed for a maximum price of $54,352,000 (construction cost).  Total project cost is approximately $80 million.

The police headquarters project is part of an overall revitalization plan for the Westminster Civic Center that will also include a 650 space parking structure to address the parking shortages in the area. 

The new police headquarters will provide an efficient and modern building designed to enhance the delivery of police services and meet the energy efficiency goals set by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) requirements.  It will include an upgraded 911 communications center capable of housing shared regional law enforcement communications, a new forensic lab for evidence processing, increased evidence storage capacity, an Emergency Operations Center, a Type I jail facility, and work space sufficient to handle the current and future needs of the police department.

The new police headquarters is part of the Infrastructure Revitalization Plan (IRP) implemented in 2002.  The purpose of the IRP was to keep local property tax dollars working locally to improve various infrastructure projects within the community.  By using IRP funds to pay for the new police headquarters no new taxes will be imposed upon the community—a responsible approach given the current economic climate.

The existing police building was completed in 1968 and was the location for Westminster’s City Hall and later its police department.  The 40 year old building was designed to accommodate approximately 60-65 employees and a small temporary holding facility for police arrestees.  Today, the Westminster Police Department employs nearly 200 full and part-time employees, plus a cadre of volunteers.  The new police headquarters is expected to be completed in May 2011.