Groundbreaking Ceremony April 7, 2023
Exciting news for the Eastern Shore! Last week, we officially broke ground on the new Maryland State Police Barrack V, which will serve the Town of Berlin and surrounding areas for years to come. With state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge technology, and a brand-new forensics lab, this project will take community safety to the next level. We were thrilled to have Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, Maryland Department of General Services, Maryland State Police, and Design team members celebrate this milestone with us.
The project consists with the construction of two new buildings on the same site, located along Route 50. It includes the phased demolition of the existing police barrack and the creation of a new, modern facility that will be more visible from the road amidst the trees surrounding the site.
The new design incorporates elements that are common to Maryland State Police Barracks, such as the brick arches, while also featuring more contemporary design elements that give it a sleek, updated look. The focus of the new building is to expand and update the barrack’s functions, with a range of new features and equipment.
The 24,855 SF barrack building will be a single-story, accessible on-grade facility that includes a large, multipurpose classroom space. This space can be divided into two separate areas when needed, and it doubles as an incident command center with the capacity for up to 36 personnel. There will also be offices and workrooms, a polygraph office, four private bunk spaces, a fitness room, and processing and detainment spaces for both adults and juveniles.
At the rear of the building, there are two vehicle bays, one for vehicle exams and the other a drive-thru sallyport that connects to the processing and detainment area. There is also a K-9 wash area located off of the sallyport, along with tactical and evidence storage spaces.
The other half of the barrack building will be dedicated to laboratory functions, with five different areas of focus: latent prints, controlled dangerous substances (CDS), toxicology, crime scene, and computer crimes. This expansion of in-house capabilities will greatly enhance the department’s ability to solve and prosecute crimes, while also providing a valuable resource for the community.
In addition to the barrack building, there is also a 4,450 SF garage building that has a vehicle maintenance area three bays wide, with adjacent storage for parts, oil, and tires, as well as a fourth bay for washing vehicles. This garage will provide the department with the necessary resources to keep their vehicles in top condition, ensuring that they are always ready to respond in case of an emergency.
Overall, the new police station is a major step forward for The Town’s law enforcement community. With expanded capabilities, more modern facilities, and a more visible location, the department will be better equipped to serve and protect the citizens of the community for years to come.