In an era where safety concerns dominate public discourse, securing police building perimeters and entrances is imperative. The sanctity of law enforcement institutions demands robust measures to safeguard against external threats and potential breaches. Active shooters, terrorists and other incidents are a reality faced by police stations across the U.S. and often, police buildings house officers and civilians. Secured entrances must balance authorized staff access with layers of security to allow the public to move seamlessly and securely while preventing perpetrators from entering the building — and allowing for containment of incidents when they occur.

Outfitting police buildings with entry solutions like turnstiles and revolving doors offers a multi-faceted approach to securing police building entrances. By implementing these physical barriers, law enforcement agencies can control the influx of individuals, ensuring that only authorized personnel gain entry. Moreover, these solutions serve as effective deterrents against unauthorized access attempts, bolstering the overall security posture of the facility. Let’s explore the importance of layered security entrances, and the solutions available, for police stations.

Layering secured entrances for maximum protection

Police stations must account for the unique requirements of the building as a whole and each entry point to properly design the best layered and secured entrance system.

Various secured entry solutions excel in managing traffic flow and detecting unauthorized access at attended entrances, enhancing overall security measures. Meanwhile, specialized solutions are designed to proactively prevent unauthorized entry at unattended entrances, addressing the evolving challenges posed by hybrid work schedules and limited budgets prevalent in police operations. Broadly, security entrances for police buildings can be categorized into three main groups: deter, detect and prevent, with each serving a distinct yet complementary role in bolstering security protocols.

• Tripods or full-height turnstiles deter against unauthorized access, discouraging attempts to enter a facility.
• Optical turnstiles with embedded sensor and access technologies detect unauthorized entry attempts, including tailgating and piggybacking, and issue alarms in real-time.
• Interlocking mantrap portals or security revolving doors can be integrated with other technologies to identify unauthorized attempts and block a bad actor from entering, even without a guard present. This is the most robust method for securing access points to prevent unauthorized entry and exit, including tailgating and piggybacking.

Luckily, many modern security entrances have built-in sensor technologies to support the most effective means of balancing the necessary throughput with optimized physical access at crucial entry and egress points within law enforcement facilities.

Securing perimeters at police facility

To truly fortify police stations, we must address bridging the gap of unauthorized entry, starting with a sharp eye on perimeter entry points surrounding the building. Heavy-duty, full-height bi-directional turnstiles provide a first line of defense for exterior perimeters at police facilities. Built to withstand a range of weather conditions and designed for maximum protection, these turnstiles can fortify security before a malicious actor can get close to the front entrance. With access control, intercoms and video surveillance capabilities, data collected from embedded sensor systems can be used by security personnel to anticipate and measure the risk of infiltration.

The sanctity of law enforcement institutions demands robust measures to safeguard against external threats and potential breaches.

Protecting entrances and lobbies

For added layered security, where multiple robust solutions for deterrence are required, a full-height turnstile can be used at the exterior perimeter and front entrances. Based on the building design and application, high security revolving doors also provide added flexibility and protection at front entrances, balancing access for authorized staff and enabling secure entry for the public.

In buildings with more expansive lobbies and heightened risk, a more comprehensive plan can be implemented to ensure safety. In these instances, a dual front lobby entrance screening mechanism can be installed in conjunction with a single exit revolving door for traffic exiting the lobby. This layered approach can provide an additional barrier for security between areas such as initial screening and the main lobby, while the use of bullet-resistant glass protects against gun violence. Using high security revolving doors with features like tailgating and piggybacking prevention that are purpose-built for security in high-traffic areas ensures optimal protection.

Layered security entrances, such as high-security revolving doors, seamlessly integrate physical building security entrances with contemporary architectural designs, providing both aesthetic appeal and robust security features. These entrances not only enhance the overall visual appeal of modern buildings but also ensure comprehensive protection against unauthorized access, aligning seamlessly with evolving security needs.

Protecting law enforcement by adopting secure entry solutions

The adoption of entry solutions like turnstiles, revolving doors and access control systems is indispensable for securing police building perimeters and entrances. These specialized measures not only fortify defenses against external threats but also enhance operational efficiency and uphold public trust. As guardians of safety and order, law enforcement agencies must prioritize the implementation of these tailored solutions to safeguard their personnel, assets and the communities they serve.