Construction underway on new headquarters for Cleveland County Sheriff's Office

Cleveland County taxpayers will soon see their money invested in public safety development. Construction is underway on a new headquarters for the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office. County officials said on Friday the $5 million project was funded by a public safety sales tax approved by taxpayers in 2019.

Despite recent job cuts and financial issues at the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, the county has moved forward with a new headquarters for the sheriff's operations.

“The commissioners are investing in public safety,” said Jacob McHughes, Cleveland County Commissioner District 2.

Image Provided By: Cleveland County Sheriff's Office

Construction has started on the new building in Commissioner Jacob McHughes' district. Planning for the project started in 2020 and commissioners recently approved the final design.

“The building we have right now that the Sheriff is in is six thousand square feet,” said McHughes. “This takes it to 12-thousand square feet.”

Image Provided By: Cleveland County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office has been in a temporary location in Downtown Norman since 2018. The new facility will be built next to the Cleveland County Detention Center on Franklin Road and Flood Avenue. 

“Now we will have a permanent location going forward for many years,” said Rod Cleveland, Cleveland County Commissioner District 1.

The investment includes a new home for emergency operations.

“The biggest thing is making sure we have a good 911 center, the call center and the dispatch center that we have that completely modern up-to-date,” said Cleveland.

The new location also has plenty of room for future growth.

“Those public safety dollars are going to good use for the taxpayers and that’s the bottom line for us,” said McHughes.

Building the headquarters near the jail allows the Sheriff closer access to oversee the day-to-day operations of the county detention center.

Image Provided By: Cleveland County Sheriff's Office

Construction on the project is expected to take about a year.