SALEM, N.H. — Municipal leaders, law enforcement officials, and community members gathered in mid-October to officially cut the ribbon on Salem’s brand-new, $38.6 million Police Department headquarters. Brought to life through a collaborative partnership between The Galante Architecture Studio (design architect), Harvey Construction (construction manager), and Trident Project Advantage Group (owner’s project manager), the milestone event marks the triumphant conclusion of a multi-year effort to replace a severely outdated public safety facility.
The journey to the new headquarters—located at 9 Veterans Memorial Parkway—addressed long-standing structural limitations. The department’s previous station, built in 1966, was originally designed to accommodate a modest force of just 14 officers. Over the decades, as the town and its police force expanded, the building grew entirely inadequate. By 2008, space constraints forced detectives into temporary office trailers, while multi-use spaces had to double as crowded roll-call, training, and community ceremony rooms.
Planning for a comprehensive upgrade culminated after extensive community coordination, leading to an official groundbreaking. To maintain uninterrupted public safety services during construction on the existing site, the police department temporarily relocated operations, utilizing spaces shared with the Municipal Services and Department of Public Works (DPW) teams.
The newly completed campus features a modern two-story main station, a separate tactical training range, and an auxiliary outbuilding custom-built to house the department’s K-9 unit and animal control operations. Inside, the facility incorporates specialized layouts tailored to modern law enforcement and investigative standards, including secure processing areas, dedicated private interview rooms, and trauma-informed “soft” interview spaces designed for sensitive cases.
The successful delivery of the project was overseen by the Town of Salem, Town Manager Joe Devine, and Police Chief Joel Dolan, alongside their expert design and construction partners. Funded through a total investment of roughly $38.6 million—comprising hard costs, soft costs, and transition planning—the project was completed on schedule, allowing staff to transition smoothly into the new building.
Town leaders emphasized that the facility is much more than a brick-and-mortar upgrade, framing it as a generational investment in officer wellness, community safety, and transparent public service designed to serve Salem for decades to come.
