Melbourne Police HQ

Did You Know | Sep 22, 2023

September 22, 2023

DID YOU KNOW

Melbourne Police HQ

JOSEPH PELLICANO
LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER
UNDER CONSTRUCTION…

Did you know the Melbourne Police Department is getting a brand-new Headquarters? The new location will be located on the corner of Nasa Blvd. and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Ground broke in September 2022 and is projected to be completed late next year.

A much-needed upgrade, the proposed building will be 2 stories and just over 76,000 sq ft. The massive building will be able to house all the departments under one roof. It will also include a community building where law enforcement officers and community members can meet to create and implement community programs to improve our local area as well as develop good relationships between our law enforcement officers and the community they serve.

The current headquarters, located on Apollo Blvd, was built in 1984 and has succumbed to age, suffering water damage resulting in mold as well as other issues that arise with aging buildings.

Melbourne Police Department - Photo: melbourneflorida.org

The current communications building, located on Babcock St., was built in 1979. Since this time, the city of Melbourne has doubled in size. A new building to accommodate the city’s growth as well as building upgrades were well overdue.

Melbourne Police Department Communications & Criminal Investigations Building

The Melbourne PD is comprised of 10 separate divisions:

  • Patrol

  • K-9 Unit

  • Criminal Investigations

  • Community Service

  • Crisis Negotiation

  • SWAT

  • Dive Rescue Team

  • Marine Patrol

  • Support Services

  • Communications

Currently about 260 men and women are serving the City of Melbourne in the Police Department as sworn officers, non-sworn civilians, and crossing guards, all under the command of Chief David Gillespie.

Joseph Pellicano Law Enforcement Center - Photo: Melbourne Police Department via Facebook

The new headquarters will be named “Joseph Pellicano Law Enforcement Center” in memory of Officer Pellicano. After only 3 1/2 years on the job, he was struck and killed by a truck, while directing traffic during a home fire on Sarno Rd. in 1986. Officer Pellicano is the only Melbourne PD Officer that's been killed in the line of duty.

As a city, sadly, we lost an officer, but fortunate enough not to have lost any since.

I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our community and the improved Headquarters.

Reply

or to participate.