Hermiston Police Temporarily Relocated During Station Remodel

The Hermiston Public Safety Center is undergoing a significant remodel, temporarily moving Hermiston Police operations to multiple locations.

This adjustment will allow continued service while the building undergoes important modernization for safety and functionality.

Construction is expected to take 10-12 months. During construction, police services will operate from three separate locations:

• Police Records Department: Records staff will remain at the former city courtroom, located in the Public Safety Center on South First St. Public access to the records department will be available through a designated tunnel.
• Administrative Offices: Administrative functions will move to the Arc of Umatilla County building in McKenzie Park at 215 W. Orchard Ave. This location does not have a public lobby.
• Patrol Operations: Patrol teams will work out of the police annex building onsite, but like the administrative offices, this location is not open to the public.

To speak to an officer, the public can call 541-567-5519, option 1, and an officer will be dispatched to return the call. The red phone at the front of the Public Safety Center also remains active.

The police station, located in the Public Safety Center near downtown Hermiston, was originally built in the early 1970s and had served its purpose well beyond its limits with the growth of both the Hermiston Police Department and Umatilla County Fire District No. 1, which share the space.

The city secured a $2.5 million state grant for seismic retrofitting, which will also cover the cost of a new roof — a significant savings for taxpayers. Additional funding came from an $11.5 million full faith and credit bond approved by the city council in February.

The first phase of the remodel has already transformed the former municipal courtroom into an updated evidence storage area, complete with a $100,000 state-of-the-art system, which was partially funded through a Wildhorse Foundation grant. The upcoming phase will focus on renovating patrol and administrative spaces.

As construction progresses, the city’s strategic use of grants and bonds ensures that these much-needed improvements come without burdening Hermiston residents with new taxes. The city remains committed to enhancing public safety infrastructure to better serve the community.

For updates on the remodel and any changes to police services, residents are encouraged to visit the city’s website or contact the police department directly at 541-567-5519.