This fall the Jeffersontown Police Department moved into a brand-new facility, built with the community in mind. The 40,000-square-foot headquarters was designed to continue the development of strong ties the department has within the community. As personnel are settling into the new space, an adjacent public plaza and a secure parking lot are being completed in time for a spring dedication ceremony.
“The design doesn’t have an institutional feel,” says Matthew Meunier, director of community and economic development/assistance to the mayor. “It’s very attractive, inviting and engaging. It fits well into the downtown. Jeffersontown will be 228 years old next May. There is a rich history in Jeffersontown; it was incorporated in 1797 and is the oldest incorporated city in Jefferson County, making it older than Louisville. It has a small-town feel. People here feel connected to community government. The support and cooperation the residents give the police department is part of the culture here.”
The new building includes working areas for the Community Resource Unit, including the victim advocacy program and social workers. There is also designated space for the Angel Program, which started in 2016 as an initiative that screens individuals addicted to opiates for placement in a local treatment facility. Any addicted person who enters the police department is eligible to participate.
“The facility includes professional office space for the command staff to manage the operations of the department, including highly secure evidence processing and storage areas,” says Meunier. “Jeffersontown Police is unique in that they provide their own dispatch of 911 emergencies, which improves response times and elevates the public safety desire of the community. The typical response time is three to five minutes.”
“The new headquarters provides state-of-the-art tactical training that includes a scenario and simulator training room, to prepare officers for different situations they might encounter on a beat,” he adds. “There is also an officer wellness area to promote both physical and mental health. Very important is a cohesive work atmosphere for the Criminal Investigative Division as well as the special investigative unit embedded within the department, plus a dedicated area for the patrol division to conduct roll call and debriefings of daily police matters.”
Currently, work is being completed on a large public plaza with a water feature, benches, planters and landscaping. The plaza is adjacent to the main entrance of the station and is near the location of the Jeffersontown Farmers Market. The Jeffersontown Police Department has traditionally been involved in community events, and the welcoming atmosphere of the plaza will encourage public use such as children’s safety fairs. In addition, Eastview Avenue and Bruners Street will be widened to improve traffic flow around headquarters in the heart of Gaslight Square.
“Jeffersontown is a wonderful community, and our citizens and businesses have a very special connection to our Jeffersontown Police Department,” says Mayor Carol Pike. “I have served the Jeffersontown community both as a city councilperson and now as mayor, and I have always valued my relationship with our patrol officers, command staff and civilian personnel. I have tremendous appreciation for their hard work and continued dedication to the delivery of Jeffersontown’s strong community oriented policing strategies. This new police headquarters will provide state-of-the-art resources and equipment needed to strengthen the connection between our residents and businesses that call Jeffersontown home. I particularly like the community room and public plaza spaces in the new building that will further enhance that community engagement.”
The community room, a multipurpose space designated for public use, has a panoramic view of historic Gaslight Square and overlooks Taylorsville Road in downtown Jeffersontown. It is available for organizations such as homeowner associations, the Jeffersontown Chamber, or zoning and planning committees. This area is equipped with state-of-the-art audio and video equipment.
“Jeffersontown’s community has always valued its working relationship with the Jeffersontown Police Department, and I am honored that the city has made this tremendous investment of a modern facility that will enable our police officers and civilian staff to do our work more efficiently, and create an atmosphere that builds upon a strong community-oriented policing policy,” says Jeffersontown Chief of Police Rick Sanders. “It’s been rewarding to work for a community that truly cares about its citizens and businesses, and values the delivery of these public safety services.”
After being in its previous facility for more than three decades, the Jeffersontown Police Department is enjoying its new space. All the elements of the new facility are creating a working environment that will foster a strong community by delivering enhanced public safety outreach and continued security for all of Jeffersontown’s residents and businesses.
“When the department completes the transition to the new facility, the old building will be demolished by the contractor, making way for a parking lot,” says Meunier. “Upon the completion of the parking lot and the plaza in the spring of 2025, there will be a dedication ceremony.”
“This community loves its police department,” he continues. “A signature design element of the new station is the public spaces where people can engage our officers and command staff, and maintain the high level of community connectivity that currently exists within Jeffersontown. It should be an inviting place in the community, not just somewhere to go to when there is trouble.”
The Jeffersontown Police Department is located at 10410 Taylorsville Road in Jeffersontown.
