October 5, 2025

New Police Department Headquarters in El Centro Nears Completion

News Summary

The new Police Department headquarters in El Centro is nearing completion at 90%, with plans to open in December. Initially set for October, the timeline faced delays. The project, costing $49.6 million and funded by Measure P, includes modern features like a Real Time Crime Center and a community room. The city council has approved additional enhancements to improve the facility’s function and community engagement. The new headquarters is designed to serve the area effectively for years to come.

El Centro – The new Police Department headquarters in El Centro is nearing completion and is now 90% finished, with plans to open its doors to the public in December 2023. This timeline has been pushed back from the original target of October 2023, reflecting challenges in the final stages of construction.

The construction of the new facility, which comes with a price tag of $49.6 million, is financed through Measure P, a voter-approved half-cent sales tax aimed at boosting public safety in the area. This project stands as one of the city’s most substantial investments in public safety in recent years.

The overall completion timeline for the project has also experienced modifications, with the final completion date now expected in April 2026, a slight shift from the previously projected date of March 2026. Public Works Director and City Engineer Abraham Campos reported that contractors are currently concentrating on interior finishes, site improvements, and the establishment of communication systems.

Despite minor operational challenges that arose during construction, the El Centro Police Department has managed to maintain its services without interruption. The careful coordination between city staff and contractors has been crucial in keeping the project within its intended scope and timeline.

To enhance the project’s scope, the El Centro City Council has also approved 15 change orders totaling $2.57 million, along with an additional $2.5 million allocated for various enhancements. Improvements include shaded parking facilities, audio/visual systems, and upgraded signage that are expected to yield long-term financial savings.

The new Police Department headquarters will include a variety of modern features aimed at improving operational efficiency and community engagement. These features comprise a dedicated property retrieval area, new interview rooms tailored specifically for victims, a Real Time Crime Center, and a Drones as First Responders program. Additionally, the facility will house a 2,146-square-foot multipurpose community room that can accommodate up to 150 individuals, which can be utilized for various community events and meetings.

In conjunction with the construction of the new headquarters, plans are in place for changes to the surrounding streets, including the repaving of Main Street and the alteration of 11th Street to a one-way northbound traffic pattern. The main entrance to the headquarters will be repositioned to the south side of the building, providing easier access off Main Street.

The Acting Police Chief highlighted the role of community support in facilitating this project, noting that it would not have been achievable without the backing from Measure P. The new building is designed to serve the El Centro community effectively for the next 75 years, embodying decades of planning and effort.

As the project moves closer to completion, community members can expect a state-of-the-art facility that will bolster the city’s law enforcement capabilities while also enhancing public safety resources.

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