After nearly 30 years, Idaho State Police finally has a home of its own in Idaho Falls
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IDAHO FALLS — It’s been in the planning stages for nearly 30 years, and now Idaho State Police District 6 has a building of its own in Idaho Falls.
Troopers, administrators, police officers, deputies, family members and others gathered for a ribbon-cutting Wednesday morning at 1155 Foote Drive to celebrate the opening of the new building.
ISP has been renting an Idaho Transportation Department building for about 50 years to house its patrol unit. Detectives were housed in another building, but now, 26 troopers and eight detectives will be under one roof.
“As we consolidate and bring these groups together, it is making us more efficient, and the camaraderie between the two divisions is going to be off the charts,” said Captain Chris Weadick.
The facility includes about 24,000 square feet of workspace, plus additional areas for training and storage. There is an area for permanent training mats, along with an indoor firearms simulator and space to store equipment during the winter.
Construction on the $17 million project began last year, and the move is expected to save taxpayers about $100,000 annually as ISP will no longer have separate leased office costs.
“Our people spend a lot of time away from the office serving communities across eastern Idaho,” Weadick said. “When they come back, they need a place where they can train, work with each other, take care of their equipment and be ready for what comes next. This building gives them that.”
Idaho State Police Col. Bill Gardner, who started his career with ISP in Idaho Falls, said the vision to bring departments together under one roof originated with former Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne in 1999.
Beginning in Jerome in 2003, new buildings were constructed for all of the ISP districts across the state with Idaho Falls being the last one.
“Finally, in 2026, we have completed Gov. Kempthorne’s vision here in Idaho to bring everything together under one roof,” Gardner said. “But just because we’ve arrived here, as a law enforcement community, we need to look to the future.”
Senate Pro Tem Kelly Anthon, R-Burley, spoke on behalf of Gov. Brad Little and thanked the loved ones of law enforcement for their support.
“I want to thank especially the families. What would we have without families who support the Idaho State Police? You deserve a lot of recognition today,” he said. “My prayer is that everybody who leaves here on duty comes back.”
Watch video of the ribbon-cutting ceremony here: