Construction on the new headquarters for the University of New Mexico Police Department is set to begin this month in the former Greek Lot.
The new UNMPD headquarters, on the southeast corner of University Boulevard and Mesa Vista Road, will replace the current headquarters located in Hokona Hall and include an updated dispatch center, dedicated training areas and a public meeting room, according to Lt. Tim Delgado.
The project will address the growing need for a facility dedicated to supporting effective operations, ensuring safety and enhancing community engagement on campus, Delgado wrote in a statement to the Daily Lobo.
“The new facility will provide easier access for our campus community,” Delgado wrote. “The new facility presents a major opportunity to enhance safety, strengthen collaboration with students and staff and create a welcoming professional space that reflects our commitment to service.”
A request for renovation of the current headquarters was submitted in 2018 but was denied for unknown reasons, Delgado wrote.
Funding for the new 16,000-square-foot facility was ultimately secured with the support of the UNM Board of Regents, President Garnett Stokes and other key UNM personnel, according to Delgado.
The projected cost of the new UNMPD headquarters is $16.36 million, with $9 million in funding coming from a 2023 UNM institutional bond.
Construction is set to begin this month and will take about 14 months to complete, according to Delgado.
UNMPD currently operates with 42 sworn police officers — a number the department thinks will rise as the new facility attracts a larger number of recruits by representing a more professional and welcoming working environment, Delgado wrote.
It will also aid in the retention of current police officers, Delgado wrote.
The construction of the new police headquarters on campus marks the first time in UNMPD’s history that a building will be specifically designed for police functions.
“We want people to feel a sense of safety, respect, and connection the moment they walk in. A space that reflects trust, transparency, pride,” Delgado wrote. “This is not just a building; it is a promise to our community that we are here, we care, and we are committed to serving with integrity.”
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Maria Fernandez is a beat reporter and photographer for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
