POLICE STATION
Police
- This is a constituted body of persons empowered by a state with the aim of enforcing the law and
protecting the public order as well as the public itself.
- Thid term is most commonly associated the police forces of the sovereign state that are authorized to
exercise the police power of that state within a defined legal of territorial area of responsibility.
The Chinatown Squad, a notoriously harsh police unit in San Francisco, in 1905.
History
• Throughout the history of the
civilization, societies have sought
protection for their members and
possessions.
• The word ‘police’ comes from the
ancient Greek word, polis,
meaning “city”.
• The first policing history began in about 3000 BC in Egypt, when pharaohs were in charge of
appointing an official to oversee and enforce justice and security for each jurisdiction.
• Ancient Greece also had a police force made up of Scythian slaves who were regulated by
magistrates.
• Ancient Rome continued the practice of recruiting lower-class citizens to be parts of the police force.
• After the collapse of the Roman empire in the 5th century, the Byzantine Empire went back to the
original model of the law enforcement where crimes were left to be dealt with the individuals.
• In England, a new structure of police was being formed. A group of 100 men were responsible to
enforce good conduct between each other while protecting the community.
• After World War II, it became a standard that police patrolled in cars. This enabled them to respond
to calls for service more rapidly, as well as to provide a stronger police presence in the
neighborhoods.
• During the last half of the 20th century, the law enforcement model stayed essentially the same, save
for a few major policy charges.
• By the 2000s, two-thirds of all local police departments had a community-policing plan.
• Today, law enforcement agencies continue to make progress as advancements to technology, science,
research, equipment, and training take place. With the computer-based technology, departments are
becoming more centralized and information is more easily shared between them.
Harrison Street Police Station
Life Span: 1874-1911
Location: Northeast corner of Harrison and La Salle streets
Architect: TBD
Police Station
- A building which serves to accommodate police officers and other members of police staff.
- Typically contain offices and accommodation for personnel and vehicles, along with locker rooms,
temporary holding cells and interview/interrogation rooms.
Police department serves communities by keeping people safe, enforcing laws, developing relationships, and
making sure young people have the resources they need. They welcome the community members to ask
them questions so everyone can learn together.
The Divisions and Structure of the Police Department
Administration
The Administration of the Police Department consists of:
1. The Chief of Police
2. The Deputy Chief
3. Three Division Commanders (included in the divisions below)
4. The Professional Standards Supervisor / Accreditation Manager
5. The Chief's Administrative Assistant
Patrol Division
The Patrol Division consists of:
1. Division Commander
2. Four Squads of Uniformed Patrol Officers
3. Two K-9 / Handler Teams
4. The Patrol Division Administrative Assistant
5. Community Liaison Unit
Investigative Services Division
The Investigative Services Division consists of:
1. Division Commander
2. Criminal Investigation Unit
3. Special Enforcement Unit
4. Marine Patrol Unit
5. Property & Crime Scene Unit
6. Special Operations (SWAT & Crisis Negotiators)
Services Division
The Services Division consists of:
1. Division Commander
2. Communications Unit / 9-1-1 Dispatch
3. Police Records Unit
4. Technology Management
Functions of a Police Station in the Society
▪ Law Enforcement
They serve as bases for law enforcement officers to carry out their duties, such as maintaining public order,
preventing and investigating crimes.
▪ Emergency Response
They are often the first point of contact for individuals in need of emergency assistance.
▪ Crime Prevention
They play a crucial role in determining crime through proactive patrolling, community engagement, and
crime prevention programs.
▪ Investigation and evidence collection
They are equipped with resources and facilities foe conducting investigations, collecting evidence,
interviewing witnesses, and building cases against suspects.
▪ Community engagement and outreach
They are often engaged with the community through various programs and initiatives aimed at building
trust, fostering positive relationships and addressing community concerns.
▪ Public service and assistance
They provide a range of public services, such as issuing permits, conducting public background checks,
assisting with lost and found items, and providing information to the public.
Overall. Police stations are essential institutions that play a critical role in maintaining law and order,
ensuring public safety, and serving the needs of communities.
Things to Consider when Designing a Police Station
➢ Location
The location of the new police headquarters or station is key to its ability to serve the community.
Oftentimes, citizens want to feel close to the stations or want it to be a visible and accessible part of the
neighborhood or city.
➢ Different Building Uses
Law enforcement facilities are unique because of their dramatically different user groups. So, we must
consider a wide variety of uses for the building- both for the current and the future- and as well as what type
of space those uses require to be effective. The building’s design should cater to your processes and
procedures, making the operations easier and efficient.
➢ Technology Needs
A crucial component of an effective police station is a technology system design. So, we must consider how
their tools- or how you use them- can change. When designing conference and workspaces, consider the
tools your team needs to do their job every day. Of course, establishing the appropriate station security
infrastructure is critical.
➢ Connection with the Community
Police station designs are no longer just about building a secure, operational building, now we should
consider how you can connect your new space with the community surrounding it, while maintain the
necessary level of security. The more you provide benefits for the community with the citizens, the more buy
in and support you will have for your construction project.
Conduct a Space Needs Analysis
Conducting a formal space needs analysis is an important first step toward defining the scope of a facility
project and developing accurate preliminary cost estimates. Hiring an experienced architect or consultant
familiar with law enforcement needs is crucial to obtaining a detailed analysis addressing current and
projected space needs.
A formal space needs analysis is required for any project to move beyond a conceptual stage and into a more
defined phase. A thorough space analysis must demonstrate the inadequacies of a current situation and offer
reliable estimates of current and projected space requirements based upon industry standards, policing
trends, and client growth.
Preparing for the Space Needs Analysis
• Agency Background
• Existing Facility (if renovation or expansion is being considered)
• Future trends
• Technology Trends
Conduct Site Evaluations
Careful consideration must be given to the size, location, and flexibility of any existing or potential facility
site. Site selection determines the maximum footprint or size of the facility and must, therefore, meet all
space needs requirements. Site location determines accessibility of the police facility to other government
staff, the public, and police officers.
Site evaluation and selection must be carefully considered whether exploring the possibility of renovation of
an existing facility, acquisition of an adaptive re-use facility, or new construction. According to real estate
investors, a primary rule in selecting property is location. This is also true for police facilities. There are
many essential components of site evaluation:
▪ Cost of land
▪ Cost of site development
▪ Size and shape of site
▪ Potential for multiple uses
▪ Public access to site (vehicular and pedestrian)
▪ Visibility and views
▪ Proximity to other governmental functions
▪ Response to citizens needs and concerns – a neighborhood context
▪ Travel and mileage issues
▪ Positioning of new facility on site
▪ Security
• Adequate site to permit sufficient building setbacks
• Away from railroad tracks handling hazardous cargo
• At least two means of ingress or egress for police vehicles
▪ Noise and traffic impact
▪ Expansion possibilities
▪ Former use of identified land
▪ Possible ground contamination
▪ Possibility of locating artifacts during site preparation and excavation
▪ Zoning
▪ Utilities/easements
▪ Topography/geotechnical/soils
▪ Waterbodies/wetlands/floodplain/stormwater control
▪ Infrastructure improvements
▪ Impact to current tax rolls by taking the property
▪ Satellite/cellphone coverage and improvements
▪ Accessibility to mass transit
Evaluate Facility Options
Once approval to move forward with the project has been received, it is time to evaluate the facility options.
There are three basic options when considering replacing an existing police facility: renovation of the
existing building, acquisition and adaptation of an existing non-law enforcement facility, or new
construction. Renovation of an existing facility may become a more realistic option if space was previously
shared, and the other entity sharing space with the department has moved out. Comparing capital and life-
cycle costs for each are essential to determine the most cost-effective use of public funds.
The space needs analysis will have identified the various functional components, adjacency requirements,
security needs, movement and flow between components, and individual area requirements. This analysis
data forms a solid foundation and benchmark for analyzing available facility options and evaluating the
extent to which each option can be successful in meeting the identified needs.
The preferred choice is selected as a result of the analysis of each available option’s ability to meet identified
programmatic, functional, and space needs. Each option must meet the criteria established in that
jurisdiction. Beyond meeting basic square footage requirements, examples of facility evaluation criteria may
include answers to the following questions:
Does the facility have the ability to meet “essential services” of building and structure code requirements?
Can the project deliver the required space identified in the space needs analysis?
Have group components been combined for efficient operations (needed adjacencies)?
Is there needed security zoning provided?
Was separate public, staff, and prisoner movements considered?
Does the project achieve desired community-policing image?
Is there the ability for future expansion?
Has the ability to accept new technology systems, furnishings, equipment, etc., been considered?
Is there sufficient parking for staff and public? If properly managed to this point, the project should have
organizational supporters as well as community champions. International Association of Chiefs of Police 25
What is the adequacy of mechanical, electrical, and technology support systems?
Can this facility option be acquired or accomplished within capital budget constraints for renovation or
new construction?
Does the facility support cost-effective operations and reduce long-term life-cycle costs (for example,
staffing, energy, maintenance)?
What is the duration required for implementation?
Do you need to consider interim relocation and phasing needs and related costs?
Does the facility have visibility and accessibility to the public?
Design Guidelines Set by Building Laws
Architectural design guidelines are a set of rules and recommendations that help to ensure the quality,
functionality, and aesthetics of a building project. They can cover aspects such as site planning, building
form, materials, colors, landscaping, accessibility, sustainability, and more. However, interpreting
architectural design guidelines can be challenging, especially if they are vague, contradictory, or outdated. In
this article, you will learn some tips and techniques to help you understand and apply architectural design
guidelines more effectively.
Building laws and occupancy classifications address any significant concerns, including public safety and
environment protection. These are important when constructing any buildings.
These codes and rules can significantly impact the design and construction decisions, like the size and type
of building you can construct, materials you can use, and other more requirements for your building to be
approved for public use.
▪ Occupancy Classifications
Police Stations are classified as “Institutional”, where personal liberties od in-mates are restrained, or
quarters of those rendering public assistance and maintain peace and order.
▪ Zoning Classifications
Polics Stations are classified as GI (General Institutional) – a community to national level of institutional use
or occupancy, characterized mainly as a low-rise, medium-rise, or high-rise building/structure for medical,
government service administrative and related activities, e.g., hospitals and related health care facilities,
government offices, military, police, and correctional buildings and the like.
▪ Building Height Limit
Police Stations, classified as Institutional building/structure, have 15.00 meters building height limit.
▪ Total Gross Floor Area (TGFA)
▪ Maximum Allowable PSO, Maximum Allowable ISA, the MACA, The Minimum USA and the
TOSL by Type of Land Use Zoning per Lot
▪ Setbacks classifications
Some Design Examples of Police Stations
REFERENCE:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_station
https://www.quora.com/Why-do-we-need-a-police-station
https://www.scribd.com/document/454095562/Rule-7-and-8-DPWH-pdf
https://www.theiacp.org/sites/default/files/2019-10/Police_Facilities_Planning_Guidelines.pdf
