A much-needed expansion and renovation of the Northern Regional Police Department in Pine, estimated at $13.6 million, could start construction as early as this year.
The multi-jurisdictional police department is headquartered in the township’s municipal building off Pearce Mill Road. Staffing has more than doubled in size, along with an increase in its service areas.
“We are currently at 42 officers, but our target for 2026 is 46. We anticipate our municipalities to be fully developed within the next 10 to 12 years, and anticipate at that time to topping out at 60 employees,” said NRPD Chief Bryan DeWick.
The NRPD has been in the same office space since the early 1990s, when the Pine-Marshall-Bradford Woods Police Department had around 14 officers, according to DeWick.
It has since expanded its coverage area to include Richland and Seven Fields.
“The Northern Regional Police Department has outgrown its current space, and this expansion ensures our officers have what they need to serve residents safely and effectively. By renovating the existing municipal building, we’re making a practical, cost-conscious choice that avoids unnecessary disruption while maximizing township resources in support of our community’s safety,” said Ryan Colombo, who chairs the nine-member NRPD joint police review board.
The police department currently has 9,500 square feet of police space, of which 4,500 square feet is for garage space, leaving about 5,000 square feet for operational work.
The entire building, approximately 18,000 square feet, is shared with Pine’s municipal offices and public works.
Other than the lack of general office space for the total 44 police department employees, which includes two nonuniformed staff, the NRPD is deficient in evidence storage and meeting locations, said DeWick, who became chief in 2024.
The project, with plans designed by Buchart Horn Architects, will add approximately 4,000 square feet to the present building, dedicated to police operations.
An interior reconstruction will include a multipurpose room for training and police board meetings, a fitness room, a locker room, general storage and police parking, DeWick said.
“We would also like to expand our services to include a social worker program, but we literally have nowhere for them to go currently,” DeWick said.
Renovations to the evidence storage and prisoner holding would improve compliance with state and federal requirements, he said.
The $13.6 million cost estimate includes $1.5 million needed for additions to an expanded parking lot for officers’ personal vehicles when on duty and for a parking canopy over the exterior area where police vehicles will be parked. The patrol cars have a plethora of weather-sensitive electronic equipment, DeWick said.
The joint police board, at the recommendation of the municipal managers, has committed to $10 million in contributions from the municipalities served by the department.
This decision reflects “careful, long-term planning and a commitment to using taxpayer resources responsibly,” Colombo said.
The department also has been contributing to its capital fund over the past few years, accumulating a balance that can fund the beginning stages of design and development, DeWick said.
Since there is a shortfall of the total project cost, DeWick said plans may need to be readjusted depending on the amount of grant funding received. Municipal managers and the NRPD are working closely with local and state legislators to seek grants to supplement the cost.
“We are remaining optimistic based upon similar projects in the state that have received generous amounts in grants. The architects are aware of this situation, and there are contingencies for us to fall back on if it is underfunded,” he said.
If obtained, grants for project elements such as the covered garage could help reduce overall municipal contributions, according to Marshall Manager Bob Grimm at a March police board meeting.
NRPD also had an option to build new through a land-lease by St. Barnabas Health Systems near its current location in Pine.
With concerns of accessibility to the landlocked property, the large amount of land that needed to be developed and overall associated costs, the NRPD police board opted for the latter, according to DeWick.
During the project, the township staff may be relocated or stay at the present facilities, DeWick said.
The upgrades of existing facilities reduce unnecessary capital costs while providing operationally appropriate space for both the police department and township staff, Pine Manager Jason Kratsas said.
“At the same time, consolidating municipal services into a single, publicly accessible facility alongside parks and recreation improves efficiency and enhances how residents access township services. Together, these efforts represent a practical, cost-effective use of existing community assets that strengthens overall service delivery,” Kratsas said.