When the Sahuarita Police Department Building was completed in 2008, the Town of Sahuarita had just over 22,000 residents. In 2024, the Town now has over 36,000 residents, an increase of almost 65%. As the Town has grown, patrol, investigations, and other services have expanded resulting in more individuals working in the original Police Department building; however, available space has not increased. There are currently 63 sworn police officers and 19 civilian/professional staff employed at the Sahuarita Police Department Building.

“The Police Department Building has never been expanded in its 16 years of life with the exception of some internal wall relocation,” commented Sahuarita Police Chief John Noland. “Expansion could potentially assist with recruiting and retaining our officers and staff.”

Workspace has become so limited that if the department were to hire another civilian, they’d have to work in the hallway; potential staff candidates have been rejected in FY 24/25 due to limited space. Some staff are forced to work right next to each other causing disruptions in workflow.

The Police Department Building Expansion project would nearly double the square footage of the existing footprint. The expansion project includes a two-story addition to the northeast wing of the Police Department building to accommodate Police Department growth for the next 10-15 years and the replacement of major mechanical systems that are nearing the end of their useful life; additional parking facilities with a solar array are also expected.

Sahuarita community groups will be able to utilize some of the new space as well. The training room will double as a gathering space with doors that open to the public. It would be the largest room in the Town Hall complex with the exception of the Council chambers.

The expansion will also include a new laboratory for police personnel to process DNA and other trace evidence which the department has never been able to do before on-site. Other features include bigger dog kennels for dogs to stay in temporarily while animal control tries to find their owners and expanded storage areas for weapons, evidence, and civilian personnel. An “informal interview room” would be added for victims and witnesses to make them feel more comfortable during interviews. 

The Police Department Building Expansion is one of the seven projects that will appear on the General Election ballot on November 5, 2024, as Proposition 403, the Sahuarita Bond Program, to “enhance community safety and improve quality of life through parks and recreation, police/public safety and infrastructure improvements.”

If approved by voters, the expansion is expected to be completed within approximately 2 years. The expansion project is a priority for the Town regardless of the outcome of the November election. If not funded through a bond package, the department’s only other option to accommodate growth is to take on debt with future interest rates. 

“A bond will allow us to build closer to today’s prices,” said Noland.

To learn more about the Police Department Building Expansion project and the rest of the bond package, visit sahuaritabonds2024.info.