Wilson Estes Police Architects, P.A. was founded in 1978 as Polson Architects, Law Enforcement Specialists, to provide law enforcement facility planning services. The firm, originally located in Champaign, Illinois, moved to Kansas City in 1986. Architects Cliff Wilson and James Estes joined the firm that year, later succeeding Polson. The firm's focus continued to be exclusively dedicated to law enforcement facility planning, design. To further this goal, the firm founded the Police Facility Planning Institute (PFPI). The Institute serves as a means to disseminate information on sound facility planning practices to communities across the country. PFPI conducts an annual training seminar in Kansas City on successful facility planning. Wilson and Estes continue to carry on the firm's traditions, focusing on the development of this one unique building type.

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The vastness of the body of knowledge that exists today mandates that we as individuals, in order to excel, must find that area of interest that holds our fascination, and concentrate our focus within that area. It is through this practice of specialization in our profession of architecture that we at Wilson Estes Police Architects devote ourselves to the planning and development of police facilities. We exist as an architectural firm for the sole purpose of bringing to our clients the best information available for this one particular building type. We believe that in order to bring the best information to our clients, we must be leaders in our field. We further believe that to be good leaders, we must first be careful listeners. We believe that through the application of three principals: investigation, learning, and creating, we bring to our client’s service that is second to none. Investigation is required to fully understand a specific field of interest; investigation begets learning, and learning in turn stimulates thinking. Creativity is a complex thinking process that allows us to then add to the existing body of knowledge. It is from this cumulative body of knowledge that we define ourselves as leaders in the field of police facility architecture.

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At Wilson Estes Police Architects, P.A. we believe that while being armed with a wealth of knowledge and possessing good intentions is mandatory, these alone do not guarantee great results. The best results are achieved when a systematic procedure is used in conjunction with these attributes. Wilson Estes Police Architects employs a three-step process to ensure a satisfactory result for the client. This consists of the following: Investigation, Analysis, and Application.

Investigation entails the thorough research of all factors that may affect the project. Through a careful collaboration between the client and architect all issues are explored. This important first step requires on-site information gathering from the client or key representatives. A comprehensive review of policies, goals, personnel, relationships, community issues, and physical conditions and limitations defines agreed upon principals that guide the rest of the work. This initial investment in the project eliminates arbitrary decisions on the architect’s part and focuses the work from the outset.

Once this body of information has been obtained through interactive meetings with the Owner, Wilson Estes Police Architects draws from its vast experience to analyze the material. A framework for analysis is employed through the use of a comprehensive database accumulated by the development of many projects. This provides the unbiased results necessary to lend needed credibility to a public project.

Applying the results of the analysis is the final step. It is at this stage of a project that the work becomes more art than science. Previous experience with the same type of buildings, combined with a sound design philosophy, yield the best results. A thorough understanding of the multitude of details is essential. At Wilson Estes Police Architects, we realize that each project is unique, though a common thread runs through these buildings. It is the understanding of this commonality, and the experience to apply it to new situations that set Wilson Estes Police Architects apart.

We approach each project with no preconceptions or specific style in mind. We believe that each outcome is unique and is conceived of its own set of solutions to identified issues and contextual requirements. Our buildings are functionally efficient to provide for the task at hand. We seek only what is appropriate. While our buildings are typically contemporary designs based on traditional precedents, we strive to bring freshness to each new design. In working with governments, we bring an appreciation for the special responsibility of public designs to be enduring. We strive for buildings of beauty and visual delight. We believe our buildingsshould enhance their existing surroundings and add to the sense of place. We work closely with our clients in order to build a consensus for a final resolution. To facilitate this, client comment periods, along with formal approvals are included in our work schedules following each major phase of the work.

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