STCC campus police showcase new headquarters
Officers Crystal Rivera, left, and Casey Savino monitor activity in the dispatch room in the new police headquarters at Building 11.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College’s Police Department’s new headquarters in Building 11 enhances the work they do while providing a foundation for the future.
The space gives Campus Police a dedicated, purpose-built environment for law enforcement operations, training, emergency response and service to the college community.
Chief Jose 'Joe' Rivera with officers Casey Savino, center, and Stephanie Katz.
“Our new location allows us to fully embrace our role as campus law enforcement officers,” said STCC Police Chief Jose “Joe” Rivera. “Having all the extra space really helps in our mission.”
STCC police in July moved from Building 9 into a newly renovated space in Building 11 on the south side of the campus green. The new headquarters provides the department with dedicated work areas, additional storage, improved technology and space designed specifically to support the work of a campus law enforcement agency.
Campus police held an Open House on Oct. 8 to showcase the space.
Building 11, a three-story brick structure commissioned by George Washington in 1808, is the oldest building in Springfield. It has a history connected to law enforcement, once serving as headquarters for the Municipal Police Training Committee Western Regional Academy.
Officer Stephanie Katz and Sgt. Jason Lariviere.
Building 11 provides a series of dedicated spaces, including:
- An interview room
- An evidence/property room
- A roll call/training room
- A large locker room
- A room dedicated for supervisors
- A break room
In the dispatch area, a new console desk provides an ergonomic workstation for officers and dispatchers. Officers have a view of multiple screens to monitor campus activity and respond to calls.
Information Technology played an important role in the transition, working with Campus Police to migrate technology and ensure that systems, including body cameras, radio systems, and cameras were operational in the new location.
“This is a major enhancement to public safety on our campus,” Chief Rivera said. “Yes, we are public safety, but our role is really to help support a safe and secure environment for our students, faculty, staff and visitors.”
STCC’s Facilities Department was heavily involved in planning and renovating the space. Debra Avery, senior director of Facilities, said her team worked with architects to find the best location on campus. They considered three different campus buildings.
Building 9 was really outgrown quite a while ago by the department. We had just too many employees trying to fit in a very small space.Jose 'Joe' Rivera, Chief of Police at STCC
“When the (police training academy) vacated Building 11, it was a great opportunity for Campus Police,” Avery said. “Because of the similarity between the building’s former use and its new purpose, we were able to minimize the redesign and construction compared with the other locations we had considered. Being able to design and coordinate the construction of a dedicated space for our police department was a fun, unique and rewarding opportunity for Facilities.”
The additional space will provide another important capability: the ability to establish an Emergency Operations Center, or EOC, within the Police Station. During a major emergency, members of the EOC team will be able to report to the station and use a dedicated space to coordinate the college's response.
Building 11, the STCC police headquarters, is the oldest standing building in Springfield.
Corporal Kendall Tardy of the STCC police called the move “an exciting new chapter for STCC police.” She thanked Chief Rivera and Deputy Chief Chester DeGray for their efforts to make the move possible.
“It has been really exciting to watch our department continue to grow, especially with the opening of our new police station,” Tardy said. “This new space gives our officers the resources and environment we need to work more efficiently while continuing to provide the best service possible to our campus community. Having a station that reflects the growth and progress of our department is something we’re all very proud of, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for STCC Police.”
About Springfield Technical Community College
STCC, the Commonwealth’s only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC’s highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the College—a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution—seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed, and socially responsible graduates.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu