NCJ Number
118743
Date Published
1989
Length
84 pages
Annotation
This research project analyzes future events and issues that may impact the design of high technology facilities for medium-sized police departments.
Abstract
The research was conducted by 11 individuals representing law enforcement, government finance, architecture, and engineering. They identified the following events that could affect the future design of police facilities: advances in high technology for the public sector; rising crime rates; technological advances in building materials; escalating commercial construction costs; and limited alternative funding sources for public safety. The research group also identified three major facility design phases. The predesign phase includes the formation of a "blue ribbon" project planning team to assess the needs and capability of both the organization and the community. Once programs and operations to be conducted in various parts of the facility have been determined, the actual design phase includes site selection and design aspects to be incorporated into the facility. The financial resource planning phase must insure adequate funding at the time of facility construction. It is concluded that the prototypical design of a future police facility should allow for inevitable change by being viable, flexible, and durable. The facility should be constructed on a site that allows for both horizontal and vertical expansion and should be energy and space efficient while taking advantage of all available and affordable high technology. Procedures followed in developing a facility project management plan are described. Appendixes contain supplemental information on the research project. 4 references, 15 figures.