This facility received the Law Enforcement Facilities III Silver award in the 2021 Officer Law Enforcement Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here.
Previously, the Detroit Lakes Police Department was operating within a drastically undersized facility that was not designed for law enforcement operations. The existing facility did not provide essential spaces such as locker rooms, evidence processing, interview rooms, nor adequate office space for the department of 16 sworn officers. Additionally, the existing facility did not provide separation or a secure perimeter between staff and public zones placing the department’s staff at risk.
At just over 22,000 square feet, the new Detroit Lakes Police Station was constructed within the city’s downtown district and has become an integral part of the city’s redevelopment plan for the downtown area. At this prominent location, the police station was designed to be a community resource and to strengthen the identity of the department within the community.
The new station provides a natural-light filled community room open to public-use. Within the public spaces, historical imagery of the department which was collected from the local historical society is displayed proudly. An important aspect of the planning process was to provide a welcoming police facility and stress-reducing environment. Following biophilic design principles, the Detroit Lakes Police Station provides ideal access to natural daylight within public and staff work areas, along with utilizing natural materials and warmer tone finishes selected to reduce occupational related stresses. While at the same time, providing a secure facility using ballistic glazing and masonry materials to reinforce the exterior perimeter and ballistic-resistant materials within the interior lobby space.
Overall, the Detroit Lakes Police Station provides the department with a modern facility, thoughtfully designed with ideal operational flow and elements to support the needs of the department while benefiting the community.
Architect/Firm Name: BKV Group