Two-story, 76,000-square-foot building can withstand a Category 5 hurricane

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA—The Melbourne Police Department hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for the new Jose Pellicano Law Enforcement Center.

“This center is not just a building; It is a commitment to serve and protect our community. It is a tribute to Officer Joseph Pellicano and a symbol of our bond with all of you. “Your continued support, love and trust means a lot to our department and inspires us to work harder every day,” a Melbourne Police spokesperson said.

The new Joseph Pellicano Law Enforcement Center is at 250 West NASA Boulevard in Melbourne.

“The construction of our new police station, the Joseph Pellicano Law Enforcement Center, has been a labor of love for several years. “We officers and employees eagerly anticipate the move and the opportunities to work in a centralized and efficient 21st century police station,” a Melbourne Police spokesperson said.

The new facility is named after Joseph Pellicano, a fine officer and highly respected member of the police family who died in the line of duty on 17 October 1986. Melbourne City Council named the new police facility in honor of his sacrifice. .

MPD Consolidated Headquarters Building

The Joseph Pellicano Law Enforcement Center is the new consolidated headquarters building for the Melbourne Police Department. It has been designed to operate for decades and will allow for greater efficiency in operations, better service to the public and better city response to disasters.

Six years ago, Melbourne citizens supported City Council’s vision to replace the two outdated and deteriorating buildings with a new facility that would consolidate all police services under one roof. On November 6, 2018, they voted to approve financing the new police headquarters facility with general obligation bonds.

This investment has enabled the City of Melbourne to construct a state-of-the-art building with many benefits and features that will greatly enhance our service to the community now and in the future.

Public safety and emergency response

The new facilities have been hardened to withstand a Category 5 hurricane. Redundant systems will ensure that the city’s Emergency Operations Center and 911 Communications Center can always respond to the public in times of need, even during a catastrophic storm.

Key features include a concrete sloped wall construction, a generator with a 10,000 gallon fuel tank that can run the facility for two weeks, the ability to easily connect an additional generator and air conditioning system if needed, a backup water system and a backup sanitary system. sewer system.

Better service, community relations and crime prevention

The expanded and improved space at the Joseph Pellicano Law Enforcement Center will allow the department to provide enhanced support services to citizens and victims.

Having private interview rooms off the lobby will better serve victims, and the lobby area itself will be a welcoming space for those in need of police services.

A multi-purpose community room will allow residents and officers to collaborate on crime prevention and other initiatives that help make neighborhoods safer.

Expanded space for evidence processing and storage

There is an auxiliary building for evidence analysis and storage that does not require climate control, and there are secure storage areas for seized vehicles and equipment.

Additionally, the facility is prepared for enhanced evidence processing, providing dedicated space for crime scene investigators to perform specific types of processing in rooms dedicated to detailed examination.

The new Property and Evidence room can store approximately 100,000 pieces of evidence. Expanded staff workstations will improve employee working conditions and facilitate more efficient test processing.

Training and other amenities for police officers

New training rooms, including a dedicated defensive tactics room and a gym, will allow MPD to conduct training in-house. This will allow MPD to schedule necessary training more efficiently and with fewer disruptions to officers’ schedules.

The center also has two bunk rooms to give night shift officers a place to rest if they are scheduled to appear in court the morning after their shift.

On-site facilities include covered space for special vehicles, such as the SWAT armored vehicle, command trailer, crisis negotiations van and more.

SWAT, Dive Rescue and other specialized teams now have dedicated storage space for their equipment.

Improved K9 Facilities

The new kennels will have ample space for police K9s. The property also has space for future outdoor training and a possible expansion of a K9 obstacle course.

Invest in the future

The Joseph Pellicano Law Enforcement Center is a two-story, 75,000-square-foot building designed to improve current working conditions, expand departmental capabilities, and improve service delivery to the community. The new building will provide a safer, cleaner work environment, additional service capabilities, and the ability to expand for the foreseeable future.

About Officer Joseph Pellicano

Melbourne City Council named the facility after Officer José Pellicanowho is the only member of the Melbourne Police Department to have died in the line of duty.

The end of Officer Pellicano’s watch was on October 17, 1986, when he was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic toward a house fire on Sarno Road.

At the time of his death, Officer Pellicano had worked with the Melbourne Police Department as a patrol officer for three and a half years. He had been awarded the department’s exceptional service bar twice, including once in 1983, for pulling a person out of a burning building.

He coached in the Police Athletic League and enjoyed working with youth to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Officer Pellicano attended Brevard Community College, where he was working toward his associate degree in criminal justice.

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