Philadelphia Police Headquarters – Philadelphia, PA

The Public Safety Building

The Philadelphia Police Department Headquarters is now located at 400 North Broad Street, in the historic building famously known as the former home of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Officially designated as the Philadelphia Public Safety Building (PPSB), this facility replaced the aging ”Roundhouse” in 2022 as the central command for the nation’s fourth-largest police force. The massive 460,000-square-foot structure houses the Police Commissioner’s Office, high-level administrative units, and the 911 Emergency Call Center. Additionally, it serves as the operational base for the 9th Police District and the Central Detective Division. The move to this modernized facility was designed to improve collaboration between police leadership and emergency dispatchers while providing a state-of-the-art environment for law enforcement operations.

Public Services and Reporting

While this building is the administrative heart of the PPD, it also functions as an active police station. The 9th District operates out of this location, meaning the lobby is open 24/7 for residents to file police reports, seek emergency assistance, or speak with an officer regarding neighborhood safety concerns in the Center City and Callowhill areas. The Open Records/Right-to-Know Section is also housed here, handling specific legal requests for documents under state transparency laws. However, it is critical for visitors to note that standard Crash Reports (Accident Reports) are primarily processed by the Department of Records at City Hall, not here. Furthermore, the Gun Permit Unit is NOT located at this headquarters; it remains at 660 E. Erie Avenue. Do not come to Broad Street for license to carry applications.

Historic Significance

The building itself is a landmark of Philadelphia architecture. Constructed in 1924 and designed by Rankin, Kellogg & Crane, it stands as a striking example of the Beaux-Arts style with its iconic clock tower and white terra cotta facade. For nearly a century, it was the headquarters of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News. Its adaptive reuse into the Public Safety Building preserved much of the exterior grandeur while completely gutting and modernizing the interior to meet the high-security and technological needs of modern law enforcement. The lobby retains some historic elements, offering a unique blend of the city’s journalistic past and its public safety present.

Security and Visitation

As the central headquarters for the city’s police, security is extremely tight. All visitors entering the facility for administrative appointments or meetings must pass through security screening, including metal detectors and bag checks. Valid government-issued photo identification is required for entry beyond the public lobby. Visitors should refrain from bringing unnecessary bags, sharp objects, or weapons (unless authorized law enforcement). While the 9th District front desk is accessible to the public for walk-in reports, access to upper floors—where the Homicide Unit and Commissioner’s Office are located—is strictly by appointment or escort only.

Transit and Access

The Public Safety Building is exceptionally well-positioned for public transit. It is located practically on top of the Spring Garden Station of the Broad Street Line (BSL), providing easy north-south access. Several SEPTA bus routes, including the Route 4 and Route 16, run directly along Broad Street, stopping right in front of the building. For those driving, metered street parking is available on surrounding streets like Callowhill and 15th Street, though it can be scarce. There are also paid private parking lots in the vicinity. Its location at the intersection of Broad and Callowhill Streets places it at the northern edge of Center City, making it a prominent and easily conducting landmark.

• 9th District: Open 24/7 for walk-in police reports.
• Gun Permits: NOT serviced here; go to Erie Ave.
• Records: Right-to-Know requests only; crash reports are at City Hall.
• Emergency: Call 911; do not drive to HQ for life-threatening emergencies if possible.