For the fourth year, OFFICER Magazine presents the OFFICER Station Design Awards, showcasing law enforcement and public safety facilities from across the U.S. Featured in this issue are 17 entries, among four categories, submitted by 14 architectural firms specializing in public safety facilities. The goal of the OSDA is for police chiefs, sheriffs, public safety directors and municipal leaders to view the trends and innovations in new facilities. The nominees featured in this program are spread throughout the country, so it’s important to keep in mind that prices vary greatly depending on the region. Styles and overall design are often based on budget, location and the responsibilities of the agency.
View the 2023 Station Design Awards in the November/December issue of OFFICER Magazine
The judging panel was comprised of two assistant chiefs from the St. Petersburg Police Department in Florida, which moved into its new headquarters in the city’s downtown in 2019, along with an architect from the firm responsible for project. The judges were asked to review each portfolio and select their top choices in each of the four categories based on their experience with operations, security and design.
Shared facilities continue to gain popularity due to shrinking budgets and dwindling land resources. This year, there were five submissions in the Public Safety Centers category. After reviewing the Bozeman Public Safety Center in Montana, the judging panel unanimously selected it as the Gold awardee, praising its focus on energy efficiency.
In the LE Facilities I category, for facilities with more than 50,000 sq. ft., the judges noted the Lafayette Police Department in Indiana made good use of a small site plan and awarded that facility with a Gold award. “I like the industrial way they had it surrounding the other areas,” Assistant Chief Michael Kovacsev commented. “The use of the brick and the design fits well in that small footprint.”
Assistant Chief David Gerardo agreed: “I really like what they did with the space they had to work with. I also like the elevated nature of the front entrance. It doesn’t look like a big stone monolith. They managed to make it an impressive structure and also seem very open and inviting.”
Amy Weber Bradlow, Senior Vice President with Harvard Jolly | PBK, mentioned how the facility’s public plaza was a great way to bring in the community. She also mentioned that she liked how a 306 solar panel array was incorporated on the roof of the facility and is projected to offset 40% of the building’s energy consumption.
In the LE Facilities II category, for facilities with less than 50,000 sq. ft., the judges agreed that the Weatherford Police Department in Texas excelled when it came to its focus on fitness and mental health and made good use of outdoor spaces. The Gold-awarded facility includes a track, a fitness courtyard and a decompression courtyard.
The renovation and addition to the Massachusetts State Police Lower Basin Barracks in Framingham, Massachusetts won the Gold award in the LE Facilities III category for facilities with less than 25,000 sq. ft. The panel thought the design team did a good job at respecting the history of the building, while adding needed updates.
The judges expressed the need to plan for the future through the use of open spaces in design that can be easily configured with temporary walls and furniture to serve multiple purposes during the life of the facility.
While the projects were ranked as part of this program, please know that every facility featured in this issue is a winner for the law enforcement agency and the community it serves. The amount of planning and work that goes into these facilities can be seen in the final product and can add to the sense of pride for both the officers and residents.
2023 Officer Station Design Awards Judges
Assistant Chief of Police Michael J. Kovacsev
St. Petersburg Police Department
Kovacsev is a 29-year veteran of the St. Petersburg Police Department. He currently is assigned as Commander of the Investigative Services Bureau. He joined the department in 1994, where he began his career as a college intern. Mike spent his first several years in the Uniform Services Bureau, and was selected as the “Officer of the Year” in 1999. From 2001 through 2015, Mike spent most of his career serving in several capacities within the Investigations Bureau, notably the Homicide, Vice and Narcotics, and the Special Investigations Units, attaining the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant and major. In 2016, Mike was promoted to Assistant Chief and has served in all three Bureaus of the Department. Mike attained the rank of Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves and served from 1989 to 1997. He is a 2012 graduate of the course of study in Executive Strategic Management, PERF, Senior Management Institute for Police. He is also a graduate in 2015 of the FBI National Academy. In 2021, Mike was awarded an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership, Executive Education Program, at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of South Florida in 1994 and his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from St. Leo University in 2016.
Assistant Chief of Police David Gerardo
St. Petersburg Police Department
Gerardo has been with the St. Petersburg Police Department for 23 years. A native of St. Peterburg, he was hired as a police cadet in 1999 and was sworn as an officer in 2000. During his tenure, he has held positions in Patrol, Investigations, Training, and Administration. He was a member of the agency’s SWAT Team for 18 years, leaving the team after serving five years as the SWAT Commander. Gerardo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety Management and is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police and the FBI National Academy. In his current assignment, he oversees all facilities operations for the St. Petersburg Police Headquarters and Training complexes, which includes a PSAP and Communications Center as well as a unified EOC.
Amy Weber Bradlow
AIA , LEED GA
Senior Vice President—Harvard Jolly | PBK
With a distinguished career spanning over more than 15 years, Bradlow is a highly regarded architect celebrated for her expertise in public safety building design, focusing primarily on Police Stations and Emergency Operation Centers. Her innovative designs and commitment to creating spaces that prioritize security, functionality, and community integration have not only earned her a stellar reputation but have also contributed to the safety and well-being of the communities her designs serve. Recent key projects include the City of Melbourne Police Department Headquarters, Cocoa Beach Police Headquarters and Clearwater Police Department Substation 3.
