The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office didn’t used to be so easy to find. Prior to the opening of the new MCSO Headquarters, members of the public had to navigate tight parking garages and the lobby of a major bank building before traveling 19 floors on an elevator where they were greeted by a wall with a call button and an intercom system that went straight to a receptionist.
Chief Brian Lee recalled that the previous location, in the Wells Fargo building downtown, did not present the welcoming environment that one would hope for when seeking help from a major law enforcement agency. “I can remember stepping off of the elevator while heading to my office and constantly coming across members of the public who seemed confused and lost because they were not sure if they were in the right place.” Needless to say, it wasn’t the most convenient or accessible location for the four million residents that MCSO served.