Why We’re Evaluating a Future Police Facility
The evaluation of future police headquarters options did not begin with a preferred site or predetermined outcome. It is the result of years of facility assessments and operational reviews to help ensure that Newport Beach can continue to provide the public safety services residents rely on every day.
As public safety operations, technology systems and emergency preparedness requirements have evolved over the past five decades, the City began evaluating multiple approaches to support future police facility needs.
Several options remain under review. No site has been selected, and no final decisions have been made.
PUBLIC SAFETY HAS CHANGED SINCE 1973
When the current police headquarters facility opened in 1973, policing looked very different from what it does today.
Over the past five decades, technology, 911 and emergency communications, disaster preparedness, evidence management, training requirements, and public safety operations evolved dramatically. Facilities designed for the needs of the 1970s were not built to support the systems, infrastructure and operational demands of modern police services.
Although the Newport Beach Police Department has continually adapted to meet the community’s needs, facility assessments identified limitations that make it increasingly difficult for the existing headquarters to support current operations and future public safety needs.
Comparison
THEN
VS.
NOW
- Paper records
- Analog communications
- Limited technology infrastructure
- Smaller operational footprint
- Less stringent facility standards
- Digital evidence systems
- Integrated emergency communications
- Secure networks and data systems
- Expanded training and evidence functions
- Modern accessibility and security standards
Newport Beach Police Department
A History of Headquarters
120 Years of Public Safety • 1906 - Present
1906 - 1923
The Frist Headquarters
- City incorporated September 1, 1906
- Police operated from City Hall – a former
schoolhouse near Newport Pier - Two basement jail cells and a rotation of
six City Marshals
1923 - 1948
The Court Avenue Years
- Voters passed a $7,000 bond in 1923 to
build the city’s first public jail - New facility: a modest 25 × 50 ft.
building on Court Avenue - Rowland Hodgkinson named first Chief
of Police in 1928
The original Court Avenue jail still stands today - now a residential duplex.
1948 - 1973
A New City Hall
- Police moved to a shared campus with
the new City Hall in 1948 - A $150,000 expansion in 1959 added
the “1959 Wing” to accommodate
growth - By 1973, the force had grown to
150 employees
$150K in 1959 carries the equivalent buying power of $1.7M today
1973 - Present
Today’s Headquarters
- 49,284 sq. ft. on 4 acres – designed for
150 employees - Now serves ~238 personnel and handles
93,000+ calls annually - Infrastructure challenges are driving the
search for a new facility
The original $840K construction cost equals approximately $66M in today’s dollars.
What Residents Expect from Public Safety
Fast Emergency
Response
Reliable 24/7
Operations
Emergency
Preparedness
Protecting
Quality of Life
THE CURRENT HEADQUARTERS
AT A GLANCE
Built In
Facility Age
Years
Facility Condition
Rated "Fair"
in
Facility Parking
Limited
Employees
Full-time
Part-time
Calls for Service
in
Additional Space Need Identified
SF
HOW THE CITY REACHED THIS POINT
The current evaluation process is the result of five years of facility assessments and operational reviews on how best to support Newport Beach’s long-term public safety needs. The City’s evaluation found that the current Police Department headquarters no longer meets the operational, technological, space and infrastructure needs of a modern public safety facility.
In 2025, City leaders initiated a comprehensive evaluation of potential sites, along with the feasibility, cost and design considerations for a new police headquarters facility.
Today, multiple options are under review, and no final decisions have been made.
In June 2026, the City established the Police Headquarters Advisory Committee comprised of three City Councilmembers and four Newport Beach residents. The committee, which includes residents with backgrounds in construction, development and real estate finance, will help evaluate location, design and budget for a future police headquarters facility and provide recommendations to the City Council for their consideration.
WHAT OPTIONS ARE BEING EVALUATED?
The City is currently evaluating multiple options to address future police facility needs. Options under consideration include renovation or rebuilding at the existing Santa Barbara Drive site, the City-owned Dove Street property, privately-owned land near the Civic Center and a concept on the Civic Center campus.
The Police Headquarters Advisory Committee will review and make recommendations for each option being evaluated.
Each option presents different operational, logistical, timeline and cost considerations that continue to be evaluated.
EXISTING SITE
RENOVATION / REBUILD
A complete remodel and expansion of the existing Santa Barbara Drive police station.
EXISTING SITE
RENOVATION / REBUILD
A complete remodel and expansion of the existing Santa Barbara Drive police station.
The Newport Beach Police Department operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Unlike a traditional office building, police operations include emergency dispatch, jail operations, evidence management and critical public safety functions that must remain operational at all times.
Maintaining uninterrupted services while renovating or rebuilding an active police headquarters would present significant operational and logistical challenges.
Shared with Fire Station No. 3 and presents space limitations affecting construction phasing.
Approximately six to seven years.
Approximately $167–188 million.
DOVE STREET
PROPERTY
City-owned property under evaluation
for future headquarters. No land acquisition required.
DOVE STREET
PROPERTY
City-owned property under evaluation for future headquarters.
Could be designed specifically to support current and future police operations.
No land acquisition required.
Potentially allows construction while the current headquarters remains operational.
Approximately $150 million.
CIVIC CENTER
CAMPUS CONCEPT
Preliminary concept exploring co-location with City Hall and the Central Library
CIVIC CENTER
CAMPUS CONCEPT
Preliminary concept exploring co-location with City Hall and the Central Library.
Additional analysis required.
Additional analysis regarding parking, circulation, public amenities and existing community features.
Approximately $162 million.
PRIVATE LAND NEAR
CIVIC CENTER
Would require the acquisition of privately-owned property.
PRIVATE LAND NEAR
CIVIC CENTER
Would require the acquisition of privately-owned property.
Land acquisition required with criteria on size, location, and accessibility.
More than $240 million.
Existing Site
Renovation / Rebuild
A complete remodel and expansion of the existing
Santa Barbara Drive police station.
The Newport Beach Police Department operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Unlike traditional office building, police operations include emergency dispatch, jail operations, evidence management, and critical public safety functions that must remain operational at all times.
Maintaining uninterrupted services while renovating or rebuilding an active police headquarters would present significant operational and logistical challenges.
Shared with Fire Station No. 3 and presents space limitations affecting construction phasing.
Aproximately six to seven years.
Aproximate $167-188 million.
Dove Street
Property
City-owned property under evaluation
for future headquarters.
Could be designed specifically to support current and future police operations.
No land acquisition required.
Potentially allows construction while the current headquarters remains operational.
Aproximately $150 million.
Civic Center
Campus Concept
Preliminary concept exploring co-location
with City Hall and the Central Library
Additional analysis required.
Additional analysis regarding parking, circulation, public amenities, and existing community features.
Aproximate $162 million.
Privately-owned Land
Privately-owned land at 12 Corporate Plaza Drive near Civic Center under evaluation.
Land acquisition required with criteria on size, location, and accessibility.
More than $240 million.
Important
to Know:
No preferred option has been selected.
Multiple options are under evaluation.
No future facility location has been approved.
Public input will continue to play an important role in the process.
