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

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA — The Melbourne Police Department hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house for the new Joseph 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 the world to our department and inspires us to work harder every day,” a Melbourne Police spokesperson said.

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

“Building our new police station, the Joseph Pellicano Law Enforcement Center, has been a labor of love for several years. We, the officers and staff, are looking forward to the move and the opportunities to work in a centralized, efficient, 21st century police station,” a Melbourne Police spokesman said.

The new unit is named after Joseph Pellicano, an outstanding officer and well-respected member of the law enforcement family, who was killed in the line of duty on 17 October 1986. Melbourne City Council named the new police unit to honor his sacrifice. .

The consolidated MPD Headquarters building

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

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

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

Public Safety and Emergency Response

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

Key features include 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 plug in an additional generator, and an air conditioning system, if needed, a backup water system and a backup sanitary system. sewage system.

Improved services, community relations and crime prevention

The expanded and upgraded space of the Joseph Pellicano Law Enforcement Center will allow the department to provide enhanced citizen and victim support services.

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 multipurpose common room will allow residents and officers to collaborate on crime prevention and other initiatives that help make neighborhoods safer.

Extensive space for sample processing and storage

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

In addition, the facility is configured for better evidence processing, providing dedicated space for crime scene investigators to perform specific types of processing in dedicated examination rooms.

The new property and evidence room can store around 100,000 pieces of evidence. Expanded staff workstations will improve the working conditions of employees and facilitate more efficient processing of evidence.

Training and other facilities for police officers

The new training rooms, including a room dedicated to defensive tactics and a gym, will allow MPD to host internal training. This will allow MPD to schedule the required training more efficiently and with less disruption to officers’ schedules.

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

Outbuildings on the site include covered space for special vehicles such as the SWAT armored vehicle, command trailer, crisis negotiation van and more.

SWAT, Dive Rescue and other specialist 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.

Investing in the future

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

About Officer Joseph Pellicano

Melbourne City Council named the facility in his honour Officer Joseph Pellicanowho is the only member of the Melbourne Police Department to be killed in the line of duty.

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

At the time of his death, Officer Pellicano had been with the Melbourne Police Department as a patrol officer for 3 1/2 years. He had twice received the department’s Outstanding Service Bar, including once in 1983 for pulling a person from 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’s degree in criminal justice.

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