Need For A New Police Station

History

The two-story Geneva Police Station at 20 Police Plaza is a conglomeration of three buildings built in 1915, 1953 and 1987. The building has been home to the Fire Department, the Public Works Department, Tri-Com Central Dispatch, and now the Police and Finance departments.

Despite several sets of renovations in the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and early 2000s, the existing facility (as demonstrated by a 2021 assessment report) does not meet current standards to provide high-level police services the community has come to expect and what is required under Illinois law.

Assessment

The City developed a facilities master plan after conducting a condition assessment of all of its existing municipal buildings. The Geneva Police Station has been deemed the top priority to meet current policing requirements with provisions to account for future growth.

The current station is inadequate to meet current operational and training needs, according to the study. The building is designed in a compartmentalized manner that negatively affects communication and sharing of information throughout the department, which is critical for effective policing. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems have reached the end of their useful service life and are in need of significant repair or replacement. Police vehicles are parked in an unsecured parking lot that is shared with adjacent businesses.

"It became clear the existing building is working against the Police Department," the consultant stated in the master plan. "Not only is the building too small, but the design of the building is negatively impacting the Police Department's operations."

Need For More Space

Police Operations

Throughout the decades, police operations have changed for a modern police force. There is no dedicated area for training (most of which is mandated by the state) and the current building lacks the necessary space for an appropriate chain of custody for evidence processing, equitable spaces for a growing number of female officers and storage.

Workspaces

Required spaces do not exist and many existing spaces are no longer adequate. Investigators currently share four open work stations and need dedicated, private spaces to perform their work. Police sergeants also share similar work stations without any privacy.

The City currently contracts with social workers, who have become increasingly more important in today's modern police force. The current station does not have offices available to accommodate the confidential nature of their work.

Wellness Spaces

Spaces that promote mental and physical wellness have grown in importance during the past decade. To help promote wellness, spaces that promote stress relief, physical fitness and camaraderie are now included in modern facilities. These spaces include designated quiet rooms, physical fitness rooms, break areas and common areas.

Risk Of Liability

In addition to wanting to provide the community with the highest level of law enforcement services, the current condition of the Police Station presents the City with an increased risk of liability on several fronts.

Information Technology

Modern policing continues to be driven by technology and the need to protect sensitive data. The current Police Station presents numerous challenges to implementing new tech solutions. The current department's critical system requires adequate cooling and reliable building systems to maintain digital operations at the station and in the field.

Flooding

The Police Station roof and drainage systems have reached the end of their useful life, which has caused damage from flooding inside the building. There have also been sewer backups.

Operations

Deficiencies in the sallyport, booking, holding, evidence, and other key spaces hinder police operations. The building's emergency generator also is in poor condition.

Protecting Our Investments

Did you know that the cost to purchase a squad car, retrofit it to police standards and add the necessary equipment for our officers is about $100,000 per vehicle?

With the current Police Station only able to accommodate indoor parking for a maximum of three squad cars, a majority of the Geneva Police fleet is parked outside in an unsecured parking lot exposed to the elements. Officers have to brush snow off vehicles before responding to an emergency.

Not sure what equipment is housed inside a Geneva Police squad car, here is a sneak peek.