Mount Prospect Police Headquarters wins top honors
The Mount Prospect Police Department has received top honors for its new headquarters facility in the 2021 Law Enforcement Design Awards, sponsored by Officer Magazine.
The project was recognized by the publication in the Facilities I category of 50,000 square feet or more. The department officially moved into the facility at 911 E. Kensington Road in June 2020.
From 2016-2018, the department conducted an extensive space needs analysis, which included a review of the existing public safety building to determine current space needs for the police and fire departments.
The report was key in identifying deficiencies in the former police headquarters, as well as detailing what was needed in a new facility.
In March 2018, the village purchased the primarily vacant warehouse building at what was formerly 799 Biermann Court (address later changed to 911 E. Kensington Road).
Built in 1982, the original building was well maintained and had adequate space for current police operations. By choosing to go with an adaptive reuse option, the village saved approximately $10 million as opposed to new construction.
With 89,869 square feet (as opposed to 33,416 square feet in the former headquarters), the new building contains many elements identified in the space needs study. Features of the new headquarters include an open floor plan, wide corridors and central break area facilitating communication and daily interactions.
Amenities include a fitness center, training room, firing range and padded room for de-escalation and defensive tactics instruction. Other features include a drive-through sally port leading into the detention area with space for booking, holding cells and interview rooms.
The evidence processing area supports biological, DNA and drug testing with abundant storage space, including a garage for processing vehicles.
The counseling room is a space for the police social worker to provide on-site services to community residents, typically under difficult circumstances.
"The men and woman of the Mount Prospect Police Department are truly grateful to the citizens of Mount Prospect for our new home," said Mount Prospect Police Chief John Koziol.
"This state-of-the-art facility will forever allow us to provide the highest level of police services to those same deserving residents. Based on the wonderful design by FGM Architects and first class building by Camosy Construction, along with in-house architect Mark Rysavy, we have always known this facility was above all others. We are all thankful the awards committee agreed."
For more information on the award, visit bit.ly/MPPHQ.
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