District Police Stations and Infrastructure

Why do we need to strengthen, improve and rehabilitate district police stations?

Some police stations are nearly a century old – built during a time when police officers patrolled the streets on horseback and with wagons – and many upgrades are more than 25 years old. There is an urgency to make improvements to police facilities to bolster their resiliency in the event of an earthquake. Most don't meet current seismic codes for an essential public safety facility. 

Many stations and support facilities have a broad range of functional, security, technical and seismic inadequacies. Since their inception, they have operated continuously and are in need of modernization. Before the ESER 2010 bond program, few upgrades had been made. Putting off these improvements can hinder police capacity in responding to emergencies.

The stations were built for a different era and we need to provide police facilities that address the needs of policing in the 21st century, including providing adequate locker rooms and facilities for the women in our Police Department. We need to invest in the infrastructure to support the technology needed for modern-day policing.   

Scope of work

In order to identify the necessary upgrades to police facilities, the City retained expert consultants to examine the portfolio of San Francisco Police Department facilities.

Under ESER 2014, the City identified many improvements and upgrades needed at our district police stations. Projects include the complete renovation of select facilities, accessibility barrier removals and focused scope improvements including roof repairs, exterior improvements, mechanical, electrical and plumbing system upgrades. All projects are being delivered to allow uninterrupted police operations and public services to San Francisco residents, workers and visitors.

Police station and facility projects funded by ESER 2014

• Bayview and Tenderloin stations were completed in April 2019
  • Accessibility, roof, mechanical, electrical and plumbing system upgrades
•  Northern Station was completed in May 2018
  • Accessibility upgrade; seismic strengthening; mechanical, electrical and plumbing improvements; roof replacement
• Taraval and Richmond stations were completed in May 2018
  • Accessibility, roof, mechanical, electrical and plumbing system upgrades
•  Park Station was completed in February 2020
  • Accessibility, building exterior and site upgrades; seismic strengthening; mechanical, electrical and plumbing improvements
• Ingleside Station was completed in February 2020
  • Accessibility, building exterior, roof and site upgrades; mechanical, electrical and plumbing improvements
• Construction of a new firearm simulation training facility at Lake Merced Range
  • Work completed in February 2018
• Accessibility and barrier removal projects at Mission and Central Stations were completed in September 2016 and October 2016, respectively; accessibility and barrier removal work at the Police Academy was completed in August 2017

Deferred projects

• Mechanical, electrical and plumbing system upgrades, as well as structural improvements and a roof replacement, for the Police Academy have been deferred to a later time pending allocation of funding
• Mission Station structural improvements moved to ESER 2020

What they're saying

“At this critical point in history where technology seems to advance by the minute our facilities have declined almost to the point of failure. We have a window of opportunity to make our facilities what they should be to best ensure our officers are able to meet to the needs and expectations of the 21st century city we are sworn to serve and protect every day, including when earthquakes or other calamities strike.”

- Greg Suhr, Former Chief of Police, San Francisco Police Department 

Explore the other ESER 2014 Bond Components

• Neighborhood Fire Stations
• Emergency Firefighting Water System
• Motorcycle Police and Crime Lab
• Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

What is the ESER bond program?

Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response (ESER) is San Francisco's bond program to strategically address critical public safety needs in the City. The program identifies seismic improvements and upgrades to City-owned facilities that are needed to help safeguard San Francisco. Learn more here.