Project: Delta Township Sheriff’s Office
Location: Delta Township, MI
Industry: Public Sector / Law Enforcement
Size: Multi-Department Facility | 40+ Officers and Staff
Delta Township partnered with DBI to furnish its new sheriff substation – delivering a complete, Haworth-based solution that included everything from temporary transition spaces to specialized areas like evidence rooms, an armory, and interrogation zones.
Project Overview
THE CHALLENGE
Before moving into their new facility, the Sheriff’s team worked in a cramped, outdated bullpen with tall panels, worn seating, and no accommodations for duty gear. The layout limited visibility, movement, and communication.
Along with needing a temporary workspace during construction, the team also required specialized layouts for secure-use areas like evidence rooms, interrogation spaces, and an armory; spaces not covered by standard office solutions.
The Solution
DBI approached the substation project in phases, beginning with a temporary installation and ending with a fully integrated interior environment. Each decision was rooted in how the space would be used—not just by office staff, but by uniformed personnel with a job to do.
Duty-Ready Ergonomics
Officers are typically geared up, and the standard task chairs weren’t cutting it. Haworth Soji XL seating provided the wider dimensions and ergonomic support they needed. Workstations were paired with monitor arms and sit/stand desks to keep staff comfortable during long shifts.
Improved Visibility and Flow:
The old bullpen was tight and disconnected. DBI replaced tall dividers with Unigroup II panels that opened up the floor visually while still defining individual work areas. The new layout made it easier for office staff to communicate, move through the space, and stay aware of one another.
Specialized Functional Zones:
The building included areas like an armory, interrogation rooms, and evidence processing. These were spaces that required more than typical standard office furniture. DBI designed each zone around its use and selected durable products from Haworth and aligned partners to meet the technical demands of law enforcement operations.
Full-Facility Cohesion:
From private offices to shared meeting areas, DBI used Masters Series desking, X Series storage, Planes and Jive tables, and Intuity benching to deliver a consistent design throughout. Finishes were coordinated with the architectural palette, so every part of the building felt like it belonged together.
Featured Products
✓ Haworth Soji XL Seating
✓ Haworth Maari & Improv Seating
✓ Haworth Unigroup II Panels
✓ Haworth Masters Series Desking
✓ Haworth X Series Storage
✓ Haworth Planes & Jive Tables
✓ Haworth Intuity Benching
✓ Haworth Partner Solutions: Ergonomic Accessories, Lounge Seating
THE RESULTS
The new substation is designed to support how law enforcement operates, from daily desk work to the demands of secure, high-traffic areas.
Officers now benefit from improved ergonomic comfort, clearer communication zones, and a seamless environment across the building
Gear-Ready Workstations: Seating and layouts were designed with duty gear in mind, reducing strain and enabling quick transitions between fieldwork and desk time.
Open, Functional Layouts: Lower panels improved sightlines and made communication easier across departments—bringing the space in line with how teams really operate.
Specialized Zones, Seamlessly Integrated: Evidence rooms, armories, and interrogation areas were designed with the same attention to flow and durability as the rest of the building, ensuring the entire facility worked as one.
Behind the Design
GARRETT BARNES
DBI Business Development Executive
“Police work presents a unique set of physical demands. The gear, the constant movement, the long shifts. We knew the space had to accommodate these realities. Nothing was off-the-shelf. Every decision was made to support the way they perform, move, and do their job every day.”