It is one piece of Celina’s Public Safety Campus, a nearly 30-acre space that will include the city’s fourth fire station and an emergency dispatch center. Creating a space where the city’s fire and police departments’ buildings can coexist will play a part in the future growth of Celina, Celina Police Chief John Cullison said.
“Our goal is to be the premier law enforcement agency in [Dallas-Fort Worth] and the state of Texas,” he said.
Current situation
Located at 3025 S Coit Road, Celina, the 32,660-square foot facility features:
- A media room
- Designated community center
- A gym
- Welcoming lobby
- Outdoor courtyard
- Break room
Cullison said he had been working to open the headquarters for the last three years. The entire headquarters had a $37.87 million budget paid for using bonds and other city funds.
“If people will be patient with us, they'll see the return on what we're doing now, and in the future it’s going to pay off,” he said.
Diving deeper
The extra space offered at the headquarters is designed to enhance the wellness for its officers. Cullison said he sees the difference in his officers’ body language and how they interact with each other when he walks through the new building.
“Organizations will talk about mental health, will talk about wellness, but they don't invest in it,” Cullison said. “Fortunately, in our community, we invest in that...because if our minds are right, our mindsets right, then we go out there and we serve the way we're supposed to.”
Residents should also feel welcome and comfortable in the facility, he said.
“I want to break down those barriers,” he said.
Looking ahead
The department plans to open its own dispatch center at the Public Safety Campus in two years, Cullison said.
Additional future growth for the department includes adding a crime analyst, a victims crime advocate, auto theft detective and a vehicle crimes detective.
“We're doing something a lot of cities don't have the foresight to do,” Cullison said. “It's because we have great leadership, great city council, great community members [who] are supportive of this, and also a great police and fire department, so it's going to work.”
There are also plans to add a shooting range and training center, allowing the headquarters to stop relying as much on the county’s resources, Cullison said.
Stay tuned
Residents can explore the new headquarters in person at a Sept. 14, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. open house event.
