Public safety is one of Bettendorf’s highest priorities, yet our current police station is more than 60 years old and was never built to serve as a modern police department. Constructed in 1959 as a former city hall and expanded in 2000, the facility is land-locked, overcrowded, and inefficient. Officers work in cramped offices, evidence is stored off-site, training spaces are inadequate, and all vehicles are parked outdoors. Critical workflows — from handling arrestees to managing evidence — are fragmented and unsafe. Access throughout the building is unsecured, putting staff and the public at risk.
Bettendorf is growing. The city’s population increased 18% from 2010 to 2020, with growth in neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and healthcare facilities. The police department, currently staffed with 52 sworn officers and 5.5 support personnel, handles an average of 36,000 calls annually. Recruitment is increasingly challenging, and many of our officers are new, with half hired in the last five years. To attract and retain the best officers, we need a facility that reflects modern law enforcement standards.
The proposed solution is a 38,000-square-foot, purpose-built police station at the city-owned site on Devils Glen Road and Crow Creek Road. The centrally located facility will include secure evidence storage, dedicated training spaces with an indoor firing range, a secure garage for vehicles, and flexible space for future growth. Built for efficiency, safety, and decades of use, it ensures our officers have the tools and environment to serve Bettendorf effectively.
The estimated cost is $27 million, with Estes Construction serving as Construction Manager at Risk, guaranteeing the project will not exceed that price. On a median-valued home in Bettendorf ($321,952), this equates to an $8.42 per month investment for the safety and security of our community.
Because this issue will not go away, the city council has made it a top priority. Delaying construction will only increase costs due to inflation and rising building material prices. Acting now ensures the project remains affordable, planned, and efficient while providing officers the safe, functional workspace they need today.
Bettendorf residents have the opportunity to approve this essential investment in public safety on November 4, 2025, with a 60% majority. By supporting this referendum, we can provide a modern, centralized, and secure home for our police department — one that keeps officers safe, supports recruitment, and meets the needs of a growing Bettendorf for decades to come.
Written by the tri-chairs of the Yes for Public Safety citizens committee: Pat Eikenberry, Ann Kappler and Jim Spelhaug.
