Community Impact reporter Cody Thorn covered the unveiling of Roanoke’s new police headquarters and municipal court facility, highlighting the city’s investment in a purpose-built environment that responds to modern policing needs. The 45,800-square-foot building organizes daily operations around the workflow of officers, from fitness and locker spaces to equipment pickup and briefing rooms. An adjacent 17,000-square-foot training center expands the department’s capabilities with dedicated space for scenario training, a gun range, storage, and new drone operations.
The new facility replaces the former 17,105-square-foot station and provides a significant increase in capacity for both police and court functions. Community Impact notes that city leadership emphasized long-term service to the community, improved functionality, and the ability to attract and retain officers in a competitive regional landscape. Regional public safety departments toured the building during the opening event, underscoring the broader interest in Roanoke’s approach to civic investment and operational planning.
“When you look around at the DFW metroplex for police, it is highly competitive, and having a venue like this can help attract and retain the best of the best,” Miller said. “I mean, when I was a younger cop, being able to have a facility like this, I can’t imagine. The building was built around a police officer’s day. It’s built from walking in, from the gym to the locker room, to picking up equipment, to briefings. The whole building was built around how a patrol office functions, and it branches out from there.”
