Southampton Operational Command Unit

A new modern police station

The new police station for Hampshire Constabulary delivers modern facilities for 500 police staff, and provides a landmark building for the City of Southampton. The former Operational Command Unit, which resided within the Civic Centre, was no longer fit for the operations of the Constabulary, and as a result, a brown field site near the main rail station was selected to accommodate a custom-built headquarters. This situation also gave the Constabulary an opportunity to rationalise their estate and will house staff from various locations around the city. The new building provides 6600m2 of space for police operations and 2200m2 of state of the art custodial facilities.

The Constabulary procured through the IESE framework and assembled a contractor and design team early in the project process. Mace was brought in to provide a full project management service for the “develop and construct” style of design and build through the design, planning and construction phases of the project. In addition, the Mace team oversaw all client direct operations, such as enabling works and engagement with utilities companies, as well as CDM coordination and cost consultancy through subsidiary Sense. Mace has also provided the Constabulary with guidance through the client process including assisting them with the management of their own workstreams.

The building is poised to provide a new police station, a command centre, a custody suite, and a highly recognisable civic building for the City of Southampton.

Client comments
"The introduction of Mace to Hampshire Constabulary, via the IESE framework, is proving to be a great benefit to us on the Southampton OCU project. [Mace's] integrated approach of working with us to understand the way we work is allowing them to challenge us on what we need.  Mace is using this knowledge to assist our journey to provide a landmark building that will be the base for community Policing in Southampton for the next 60 years.

This project is taking us beyond our normal day to day operation.  The innovation, flexibility and reliability demonstrated by the Project Management guidance, Cost Consultancy support and CDM services has provided us with the confidence they are acting in our best interests.  We have developed an excellent working relationship."

David Steele (Head of Business & Property Services Hampshire Constabulary) - February 2009
Michael Coombes (Director of Finance and Resources Hampshire Constabulary) - February 2009