Newport Beach police union backs new headquarters plan

The Newport Beach Police Association is urging city leaders to move forward with a new police headquarters, warning that the aging Santa Barbara Drive station no longer meets operational or safety needs. The union says the city should avoid a costly, risky remodel and instead pursue a safer long-term solution for officers and the public.

Why it matters: - The Newport Beach Police Association says the city’s current station poses safety and operational risks that could affect response times, evidence handling, and day-to-day police work. - A new headquarters could help Newport Beach support a department serving a much larger population and the millions of visitors who come to the city each year. - The union says the decision will shape public safety, taxpayer costs, and how the police department operates for the next several decades.

What happened: - The Newport Beach Police Association said on June 16, 2026, that it fully supports the city’s effort to plan, fund, and build a new Police Department Headquarters. - NBPA President Joe DeJulio said the current Santa Barbara Drive station is “woefully inadequate” for modern law enforcement needs. - DeJulio cited raw sewage backups, a near-miss electrical fire, and unreliable IT systems as examples of the facility’s problems. - The association said it backs the work of the Newport Beach City Council, City Manager, Police Chief Dave Miner, and city staff as they evaluate options. - The NBPA also said it supports Mayor Lauren Kleiman and the city’s soon-to-be-appointed Police Headquarters Advisory Committee.

The details: - The existing station was built more than 50 years ago for a population about half of Newport Beach’s current size. - Newport Beach police now protect an estimated 7 million visitors and residents annually. - The NBPA said decades of temporary repairs, micro-remodels, and inconsistent investment have left the building unable to reliably support evidence logging, officer operations, and emergency response. - DeJulio said the union does not support remodeling, reconstructing, or reusing the current site. - The NBPA argued that police operations run as a 24/7 system and cannot be moved or temporarily relocated without major costs, slower response times, and public safety risks. - The association said the city should review all other reasonable, safe, and viable options. - DeJulio said a remodel of the Santa Barbara location would be untenable, dangerous, and costly in time and money. - The union said a new headquarters should be centrally located, meet modern law enforcement demands, and reflect responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

Between the lines: - The NBPA’s public support gives city leaders political cover to pursue a full replacement rather than a renovation-heavy approach. - The union is framing the issue as a public safety necessity, not a facilities upgrade, which raises the pressure on officials to avoid a drawn-out compromise. - The emphasis on transparency, timing, and location suggests the debate will likely focus as much on process and cost as on building design.

What's next: - The city is expected to continue its review of sites and options for a new police headquarters. - The soon-to-be-appointed Police Headquarters Advisory Committee is likely to play a central role in shaping the next steps. - The NBPA said it will remain committed to delivering police service regardless of where the future headquarters is located. - The union said it will keep supporting a process that leads to a safe, viable, and long-term solution.