Wilmington, DE

New Delaware State Police Troop 6 Headquarters

Client: State of Delaware, Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security
Our Role: Programming, space planning, architectural design, construction documentation, construction administration

Exterior view of Delaware State Police Troop 6 public safety facility at night with illuminated signage

Built in 1971 and last updated in the late 1970s, the original Troop 6 police station was no longer adequate for the demands of modern law enforcement. The undersized, outdated building forced staff to make do in a structure never intended to support contemporary requirements. As a result, staff faced cramped conditions, inefficient operations, and insufficient separation between public and police functions.

Critical spaces such as locker rooms, training areas, and evidence storage were too small, poorly located, and technologically obsolete. The facility lacked integrated video surveillance, digital dispatch systems, and the infrastructure for community engagement or specialized police functions. With no capacity to expand, Troop 6 was constrained operationally, technologically, and in its ability to serve the public.

The site, located along the busy Kirkwood Highway corridor in Wilmington, also included a decommissioned correctional facility, limiting the potential for modernization. The state sought to reimagine the entire location with a modern police complex designed for efficiency, resilience, and long-term adaptability.

GFT, in collaboration with R G Architects, led a comprehensive needs assessment and conceptual design process that addressed these shortcomings. Through close engagement with stakeholders and community outreach, the team developed space programs, site strategies, and cost models that supported a successful state funding request.

The result was the approval of a $32.5 million, 40,050-square-foot headquarters paired with a 12,960-square-foot vehicle support facility. Together, these public safety facilities restore operational logic, enhance security, and prioritize officer wellness while creating meaningful spaces for community connection. The planning effort advanced into complete design and construction administration, culminating in a state-of-the-art facility tailored to 21st-century policing.

Key Features

A public lobby and community room create flexible space for up to 100 attendees, strengthening community engagement.
Secured operational areas establish clear boundaries for interview rooms, conference spaces, offices, and administrative functions.
A physical training room with rubberized flooring and modern gender-neutral locker rooms support staff wellness.
Evidence processing and storage occur in secure, climate-controlled zones that uphold contemporary chain-of-custody standards.
An arrest processing area ensures safe and efficient operations while remaining fully separated from public-facing functions.
Specialized units benefit from dedicated spaces designed for traffic and patrol operations and collision reconstruction.
Modernized systems bring upgraded IT, mechanical, and surveillance infrastructure throughout the police station.
Drive-thru bays accommodate vehicles, boats, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) units, and SCUBA units, maximizing safety and turnaround time.
A dedicated wash bay improves fleet upkeep and extends vehicle life.
A maintenance office supports daily operations with space for staff coordination.
Technical support rooms provide specialized areas for equipment servicing and operational efficiency.

Outcomes

Funding secured through a needs assessment and concept design that directly enabled full state support.
Operational transformation achieved with flexible layouts that improve response times, collaboration, and unit specialization.
Technology integration delivered by infrastructure that supports advanced surveillance, communications, and digital dispatch systems.
Public-facing spaces strengthen community accessibility by building trust while maintaining secure separation from operations.
Integrated training and inclusive support areas enhanced officer wellness by boosting physical readiness, morale, and long-term performance.
Future-ready design ensured with scalable infrastructure that accommodates evolving policing needs and technologies for decades to come.