Melbourne Police Hosts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Joseph Pellicano Law Enforcement Center

76,000 square foot, two-story building can withstand a Category 5 hurricane

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA—The Melbourne Police Department hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for the new Joseph Pellicano Law Enforcement Center.

“This center isn’t just a building; it’s a commitment to serving and protecting our community. It is a tribute to Officer Joseph Pellicano and a symbol of our bond with all of you. Your continued support, love, and trust mean the world to our department and inspire us to work harder every day,” said a Melbourne Police spokesperson.

The new Joseph Pellicano Law Enforcement Center is at 250 West NASA Boulevard in Melbourne.

“The construction of our new police station, the Joseph Pellicano Law Enforcement Center, has been a labor of love for several years. We, the officers and employees, eagerly anticipate the move and the opportunities of working in a centralized, efficient, 21st-century police station,” said a Melbourne Police spokesperson.

The new facility bears the name of Joseph Pellicano, an excellent officer and well-respected member of the law enforcement family who was killed in the line of duty on October 17, 1986. The Melbourne City Council named the new police facility to honor his sacrifice.

Consolidated MPD Headquarters Building

The Joseph Pellicano Law Enforcement Center is the new consolidated headquarters building of the Melbourne Police Department. It has been designed to function for decades and will allow for greater efficiency in operations, better service to the public, and improved city response to disasters.

Six years ago, the citizens of Melbourne supported the City Council’s vision to replace the two outdated, deteriorated buildings with a new facility that would consolidate all police services under one roof. On November 6, 2018, they voted to approve financing the new police headquarters facility with general obligation bonds.

This investment has enabled the City of Melbourne to construct a state-of-the-art building with many benefits and features that will greatly improve our service to the community now and in the future.

Public Safety and Emergency Response

The new facility has been hardened to withstand a Category 5 hurricane. Redundant systems will ensure the city’s Emergency Operations Center and 911 Communications Center can always respond to the public in their time of need—even during a catastrophic storm.

Key features include concrete tilt wall construction, a generator with a 10,000-gallon fuel tank that can run the facility for two weeks, the ability to easily connect an additional generator and air conditioner system if needed, a backup water system, and a backup sanitary sewer system.

Improved Service, Community Relations and Crime Prevention

The Joseph Pellicano Law Enforcement Center’s expanded and upgraded space will enable the department to provide improved citizen and victim support services.

Having private interview rooms off the lobby will better serve victims, and the lobby area itself will be an inviting space for those who need police services.

A multipurpose community room will allow residents and officers to collaborate on crime prevention and other initiatives that help make neighborhoods safer.

Expanded Space for Evidence Processing and Storage

There is an auxiliary building for evidence analysis and storage that does not require climate control, and there are secure storage areas for impounded vehicles and equipment.

In addition, the facility is set up for better evidence processing, providing dedicated space for Crime Scene Investigators to conduct specific types of processing in rooms dedicated to detailed examination.

The new Property and Evidence room can store approximately 100,000 pieces of evidence. Expanded staff workstations will improve employees’ working conditions and facilitate more efficient evidence processing.

Training and Other Amenities for Police Officers

New training rooms, including a dedicated defensive tactics room and gym, will allow the MPD to host training in-house. This will enable the MPD to schedule needed training more efficiently and with less disruption to officers’ schedules.

The center also features two bunk rooms to give night-shift officers a place to rest if they are scheduled to appear in court the morning after their shift.

Outbuildings on the site include covered space for specialty vehicles, such as the armored SWAT vehicle, Command Trailer, Crisis Negotiations Van, and more.

SWAT, Dive Rescue, and other specialty teams now have dedicated storage space for their equipment.

Improved K9 Facilities

The new kennels will have ample space for police K9s. The property also has space for future outdoor training and a possible expansion of a K9 obstacle course.

Investing in the Future

The Joseph Pellicano Law Enforcement Center is a 75,000-square-foot, two-story building designed to improve current work conditions, expand departmental capabilities, and improve service delivery to the community. The new building will provide a safer and cleaner work environment, additional service capabilities, and the ability to expand into the foreseeable future.

About Officer Joseph Pellicano

The Melbourne City Council named the facility in honor of Officer Joseph Pellicano, who is the only member of the Melbourne Police Department to have been killed in the line of duty.

Officer Pellicano’s end of watch was on October 17, 1986, when he was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic at a house fire on Sarno Road.

At the time of his death, Officer Pellicano had worked at the Melbourne Police Department as a Patrol Officer for 3 ½ years. He had been awarded the department’s exceptional duty service bar twice, including once in 1983, for pulling a person from a burning building.

He coached in the Police Athletic League and enjoyed working with youth to make a positive difference in others’ lives. Officer Pellicano attended Brevard Community College, where he was working toward his associate’s degree in criminal justice.

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