The Los Angeles Airport Police Division (APD) has a state-of-the-art new centralized headquarters that will foster interagency collaboration and innovation for decades to come.
The $216-million Airport Police Facility officially opened on December 9 with a ceremony led by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. The new facility consolidates police operations from eight standalone buildings that were separated across six miles at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Consolidating these operations into one location, with the latest technology and tools, will improve communication and coordination among the many law-enforcement entities that operate at LAX and Van Nuys (VNY) airport.
“LAX is where we greet travelers from around the world, and it’s our responsibility to ensure they feel safe, protected, and welcome,” said Mayor Garcetti. “This new state-of-the-art facility will ensure our airport is prepared to meet the needs of 21st century travel and provide a seamless, world-class experience for millions of passengers.”
The purpose-built structure includes a 160,000-square-foot headquarters building, a 960-stall parking structure and a series of new indoor and outdoor functional spaces for APD’s more than 1,100 sworn officers, security and civilian employees.
Mayor Garcetti was joined at this morning’s celebration by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Board of Airport Commissioners Vice President Valeria Velasco, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Chief Executive Officer Justin Erbacci, Los Angeles Chief of Airport Police Cecil W. Rhambo, Jr., Hensel Phelps Operations Manager Jeffery Brunswig, members of the project team that built the facility, law enforcement officers from fellow agencies and departments, and community stakeholders.
The three-story headquarters building includes command staff offices, briefing rooms, classrooms, a gymnasium and locker rooms, fleet services and K-9 facilities. A multi-purpose room will be available for public use. The facility houses the Office of Operations, Office of Support Services, Office of Homeland Security & Intelligence, Emergency Service Unit, Traffic & Security Group, Bomb Disposal Unit and K-9 Unit. It is located on 12 acres at the northeast corner of Westchester Parkway and Loyola Boulevard, and is the first new project in the LAWA-owned Northside area. A landscaped Paseo was constructed along Westchester Parkway as part of the project.
“Safety and security is the top priority for Los Angeles World Airports, and the new Airport Police Facility provides a state-of-the-art space for the largest and best airport law enforcement division in the country,” said Beatrice Hsu, President, Board of Airport Commissioners. “Built by more than 2,300 workers, the facility is a shining example of how we can integrate local workers, sustainable design elements and the newest innovations to create a space that is truly worthy of our Airport Police team and our great city.”
“Our new Airport Police Facility is far more than just a police station – it’s a game-changing facility that will improve how our police division collaborates and innovates to ensure the safety of our passengers and employees,” said Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, LAWA. “For the 1,100 sworn officers, security guards and civilian employees at LAWA, this new facility means having the right space, tools and next-generation technology all in one place to provide world-class service to our guests and employees.
“In just the past six weeks, I have heard dozens of stories and had many great conversations about how this new facility will transform the Los Angeles Airport Police,” said Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Cecil W. Rhambo Jr. “Having all of APD’s units co-located in one facility will enhance our ability to coordinate resources and further improve how we serve and protect the traveling public.”
A mural by artist Francisco Letelier, titled “Into the Blue,” will be installed early next year on a wall facing Loyola Boulevard.
The Airport Police Facility includes many sustainability features, such as dual-piping for future recycled water use and the maximum-size solar system that can be installed on the headquarters building. The parking structure includes 33 electric vehicle chargers and the facility was designed to meet, at a minimum, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Consolidation of APD offices was a recommendation in the 2011 Report of the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Airport Security.
Read the announcement at Los Angeles World Airports
