On Thursday, Oct. 15, Florida Polytechnic University added a new facility to its Lakeland campus, bringing campus law enforcement, emergency planning, and maintenance teams into a shared workspace designed to support the university’s daily operations and emergency preparedness.
The university marked the opening of its $5.4 million University Safety and Operations Center on Thursday. The 10,500-square-foot building consolidates the University Police Department, Facilities and Safety Services, and the Emergency Operations Center.
The opening ceremony brought together university representatives and local law enforcement officials, including members of the Lakeland Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Inside Florida Poly’s New Operations Center
The building was designed to accommodate the different responsibilities of the teams working there, with dedicated areas for police operations, emergency coordination, and campus maintenance.
The University Police Department has offices for personnel, secure storage for equipment and weapons, and a briefing room for patrol officers. The facility also includes spaces for training and other day-to-day departmental activities.
The Emergency Operations Center provides a designated location for university officials to coordinate responses when emergencies affect campus. Its responsibilities include organizing the university’s response to severe weather and other unexpected events.
By placing emergency coordination and campus police operations within the same facility as support services, the university aims to make collaboration between departments more efficient.
University President Dr. Devin Stephenson said the building supports the institution’s broader educational mission by helping maintain a safe campus environment.
He explained that the center will help protect the university community so students and employees can concentrate on their studies, work and personal goals.
Supporting Campus Maintenance and Growth
The facility also gives Facilities and Safety Services dedicated room to manage maintenance work and address the university’s infrastructure needs.
A maintenance shop provides space for repairs and routine upkeep, while nearby offices and shared work areas allow employees to coordinate projects and organize daily responsibilities.
Assistant Vice President for Facilities and Safety Services David Calhoun highlighted the benefits of having facilities personnel and safety teams based in one location. He said the arrangement will strengthen coordination and help employees continue supporting the campus as it expands.
The building also provides a new headquarters for the university’s police force.
Police Chief Aaron Murray said officers’ responsibilities extend beyond responding to incidents. Daily training and building relationships with students and employees are also important parts of campus policing.
Murray noted that the new facility gives officers additional space and resources while making it easier to work alongside other university departments.
Design Focuses on Safety and Functionality
Several firms contributed to the project. Furr, Wegman & Banks was responsible for the architectural design, Kimley-Horn provided engineering services, and Miller Construction handled construction.
According to M. Aaron Banks, president of Furr, Wegman & Banks Architects, the project required balancing security requirements with a design that fits the university campus. Durability and construction quality were also considerations in developing the facility.
Representatives from the Lakeland Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office joined university officials for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tour of the completed building.
With police services, emergency planning, and facilities operations now housed together, Florida Polytechnic University has established a central location for several of the teams responsible for keeping its campus secure, functional, and prepared for unexpected events.
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