What's inside and why?

Regulations and Codes

The building itself must meet the requirements of the Massachusetts State Building Code 780 CMR, and the Architectural Access Board Regulations 521 CMR. The detention area specifically is governed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Regulations regarding the Construction, Maintenance, and Design of Lock-Up Facilities. All rooms and spaces meet the requirements of modern policing as well as provide a safe, functional, and efficient workspace.

Accessibility

The new police station will fully comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the MA Architectural Access Board Regulations, which allow people with mobility concerns to enjoy equal access into and throughout the building, including elevator access to both floors.

 Public Lobby and Interview Room

A modest and welcoming lobby is the primary space open to the public. Adjacent is a private interview room for brief conversations with members of the public, which doubles as a “safe room” for people at risk.

Dispatch Office

This area is occupied 24/7. For safety and quick response, the staff is required to remain in the Dispatch Office during the entirety of their shifts. It contains a breakroom and a toilet, along with updated technology, to allow critical staff to provide a continuous response to incidents.

Detention Area

The station contains five cells, the same as the current facility, but these will meet the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations, unlike the grandfathered current facility, which fails inspection every year. Per the regulations, the detention area will contain cells for males, females, juveniles, and persons with disabilities. The holding area is utilized for the booking process and provides overflow space if needed during the seasonal increase of activity in town.

 Sally Port

This secure portal provides the safe transfer of detainees from vehicles to the Detention Area and is standard in modern policing.

Roll Call Room

For the first time, the entire department will be able to meet and train as one group; there is no room to do so in the current building. This will allow the department to conduct community police academies, and to sustain additional staff when needed. Serving also as a multi-agency coordination center, it supports the efforts of State Police, National Seashore, Police, Fire, and Public Works departments during scheduled large community events such as July 4 and Carnival, and long-duration events such as an extended weather event.

Cybercrime Room

To address the growing prevalence of cyber-crime, scams, and personal data theft, this dedicated space is used for transferring and storing data, such as from vehicle and body cameras, for collecting and using the output from electronic devices, to meet the needs of family and other social interventions, and to perform duties related to responsibilities with outside agencies.

Court Liaison Office

The Court Liaison Officer’s work with sensitive documents requires a separate space to link the department with the Orleans District Court, Barnstable Superior Court, District Attorney, Probation Department, and other agencies.

Archive Storage Area

For evidentiary reasons most courts require original documents, generally precluding electronic records. Some physical records must be kept in perpetuity, others are on a state schedule of 1 to 30 years. While electronic records may be admitted in evidence under some circumstances, this is not standard in Massachusetts and is at the discretion of each judge. In addition to paper evidence, photos, fiber/hair evidence, and other items such as handwritten case officer notes must also be stored in each case file.

Animal Control Office

To enable animal control to care for animals in a humane environment, the office contains one kennel for sick animals and a second for healthy animals. A door leading directly outside allows animals to be moved to the outdoor contained dog run, avoiding public spaces.

Interior Finishes

The interior is constructed of familiar durable materials such as low maintenance painted drywall, ceramic tile, carpet, acoustical tile.

Show All Answers

1. Why do we need a new police station?
2. What are the benefits of the new station?
3. How sustainable and “Green” is the new building?
4. What are the cost and tax impacts?
5. Why this location?
6. Why this size?
7. Why this design?
8. What's inside and why?
9. What's the timeline?