TRAVERSE CITY — The Traverse City Police Department will open a new downtown substation Oct. 10 at 128 West State Street to strengthen its community policing efforts.
Per an Oct. 9 news release, the substation, located within the Downtown Development Authority district, will serve as a workspace for the department’s Downtown Community Policing Officer and other officers on duty.
While it will not be open to the public, the facility includes space for report writing, follow-up investigations, and breaks, providing officers with a central base of operations downtown.
Police Chief Matthew Richmond said the new substation will help officers better integrate into the community, increase their presence in the downtown area, and improve response times.
“A goal of mine since becoming Chief of Police has been to find Officer Culver a permanent place within the DDA boundaries,” Richmond said. “After many attempts, we have located a place that will not only provide Officer Culver with an office downtown, but also benefit the community as a whole.”
The Downtown Community Policing Officer position was first created in 2019 through a cost-sharing partnership between the Traverse City Police Department and the Downtown Development Authority. Since 2023, the DDA has fully funded the position, currently held by Officer Jonathan Culver.
“With the new substation, the community will see more officers in and around the downtown district,” Richmond said. “I believe this latest addition to the Traverse City Police Department will enhance the trust and legitimacy we have built within the community.”