Wichita Police Department Patrol East

The existing East Division police facility was originally constructed alongside a fire station next to a large neighborhood park and designed to support only 30 to 40 personnel. Today, staffing demands are expected to exceed 150 officers and support staff, far surpassing the building’s capacity. The City initially considered using a portion of the adjacent park to construct a new patrol station, followed by renovations to the existing building to improve fire station operations and convert the former police area into a multi‑purpose training and community room. However, community engagement revealed that using park land was not compatible with neighborhood priorities.

To meet project goals while respecting community feedback, TESSERE guided the City and Police Department through a comprehensive site evaluation process to identify an alternative location. Working from review criteria established by the Police Department that included neighborhood compatibility, development challenges, operational requirements, and cost, TESSERE facilitated a group evaluation and ranking process. This led to the selection and successful negotiation of a new, more suitable site.

The resulting patrol station is a 22,000‑square‑foot facility designed to support modern law‑enforcement operations. The layout includes staff office areas, secure evidence storage, locker and fitness spaces, short‑term holding, briefing and training rooms, a secure reception area, and a public waiting zone. A storm shelter is also integrated into the design, enhancing safety for both staff and visitors.

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