Sandy Springs celebrated the completion of its police headquarters and municipal court complex on Morgan Falls Road on April 12 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an open house.
“It is truly an honor to stand before you today as we officially open this amazing new facility, our new police headquarters and municipal court complex, a $56 million investment in the safety, security and future of our city,” Sandy Springs City Manager Eden Freeman said.
Law enforcement officers from across Fulton County and members of the Georgia State Patrol joined the celebration, filling the visitor’s parking lot with patrol vehicles.
The city purchased a 109,000-square-foot, four-story office building in October 2020 for $11million. The building at 620 Morgan Falls Road was built in 1990. Extensive renovations included constructing the municipal court complex. Construction costs topped $45 million.
The city expects the building to be occupied by April 21. Additional equipment will be installed and punch list items from the construction are needed.
Sandy Springs has been paying $757,174 annually for three buildings in the Morgan Falls Office Park for its police department and court.
Police Chief Ken DeSimone said when he came to the city 16 years ago, one of his first comments was that the city needed a new police headquarters. He said the new building will replace four other buildings the police department has used.
DeSimone encouraged visitors at the open house to visit the Intelligence Operations Center, which has technology he called “absolutely amazing.”
Officers in the center showed how police intelligence analysts used traffic cameras, dash cams and body cams remotely to track a suspect, which led to his eventual arrest. During the recorded event, the analyst could be heard directing officers to the suspect’s location.
Municipal Court Judge Donald Schaefer said he has been with the city for 18 years, sharing a multi-purpose room with the city council.
“This separate facility we have, the prisoner interaction be so much easier, be so much safer for the public and everyone coming through there,” Schaefer said.
Mayor Rusty Paul welcomed the community members to “the only city police department with a golf course view,” as the new complex is across the street from the Steel Canyon Golf Club.
Paul said most police departments struggle to hire and retain officers. The Sandy Springs Police Department has a waiting list of approximately 20 applicants.
The Sandy Springs Police Foundation is working to raise funds for a tactical instruction center on the 7.54-acre site to safely train officers, Paul said.
In addition to the Intelligence Operation Center, the new complex includes:
- CSI for evidence analysis.
- Evidence room with secure areas to protect the chain of custody.
- Canine quarters with an area for holding, feeding, and grooming three canine officers.
- Sally port, offering a secure area to enable a secure transfer of a person of interest from a vehicle.
- New 100-seat courtroom with private judge’s chambers and secure area for prisoners. Space for a second courtroom is available but not built out.
- Open air atrium.
