(BRANSON, MO, December 3, 2025) The City of Branson today marked a historic moment with the grand opening of the new Branson Police Department Headquarters — a transformational public safety project delivered ahead of schedule and under budget. This achievement underscores Branson’s strong fiscal responsibility, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment to community safety.
Located at 1 Justice Street, the new headquarters converts the former White House Theater into a modern, 42,000+ square foot public safety facility designed to serve Branson’s growing community for decades to come. The redesigned space now features state-of-the-art areas for patrol operations, investigations, evidence processing, training, technology, and administrative services, all built to enhance efficiency, preparedness, and community connection.
“This new headquarters is a powerful example of responsible planning, smart investment, and a commitment to the people of Branson,” said Mayor Larry Milton. “Delivering this project ahead of schedule and under budget is a tremendous accomplishment, and it gives our officers the professional environment and tools they need to continue serving our community at the highest level.”
City Administrator, Cathy Stepp, highlights the collaboration that made the project possible, adding, “From the initial planning to the final touches, this project has been a true team effort. We set out to create a facility that supports our officers, strengthens our operations, and reflects the trust our community places in us, and we’ve achieved exactly that.”
Police Chief Eric Schmitt emphasized what this milestone means to the department, stating, “This new headquarters fulfills a promise that has been more than 20 years in the making for our department. Our officers finally have a space that matches their level of service, professionalism, and pride. It’s designed to help us operate more efficiently, train more effectively, and connect more deeply with the community we serve. We’re excited to open our doors and share this achievement with the people of Branson.”
The City purchased the 11.8-acre property in 2022 after a comprehensive feasibility study confirmed it could meet both current and long-term police needs. Repurposing the existing 66,500-square-foot structure allowed the City to save millions of taxpayer dollars, shorten the construction timeline, and turn an underused property into a valuable community asset with room for future public safety expansion.
This new headquarters stands as a testament to Branson’s commitment to public safety, community trust, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.