Sydney Central Police Station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sydney Central Police Station
Entrance to Sydney Central Police Station, 7-9 Central Street, Sydney
Location	7-9 Central Street, Sydney central business district, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1892–1955
Architect	James Barnet; NSW Government Architect
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The Sydney Central Police Station is an old police station located at 7–9 Central Street in Sydney, New South Wales. It had special rooms called holding cells where people could be kept temporarily. This station worked closely with the Central Local Court House, Sydney for almost 100 years.

What Does the Building Look Like?

The police station building is made of brick and has an 'L' shape. It is located behind the Court House and can be reached from Central Street.

Building Features

The building has cool wrought iron balconies in the inner corner of its 'L' shape. The roof slopes back from the outside walls. The parts of the building facing inside are simple brick. However, the front of the building on Central Street looks more fancy. It has three sections, with the middle one set back a bit. This part features decorative columns and beams in a simple classical style.

Entrance for Visitors

The main entrance for people coming to the police station is on Central Street.

Entrance for Prisoners

There's a special entrance at the back for people who were arrested. It has two stone columns that hold up a sign with the words "Central Police Station" on it. Heavy metal gates close off the vehicle entry, and there's a strong door on each side of the gates. To get to the holding cells, you go through a door to the right of this entrance. To get into the main police station building, you go through the door on the left.

Who Designed It?

The building was designed by James Barnet, who was the main architect for the government of New South Wales at the time. It was finished in 1892. The building is built in a style called Federation Free Classical, which means it uses some old Greek and Roman design ideas but in a newer way. You can see carved sandstone details at the bottom of the ground floor.

Building Wings and Additions

The building has two main parts, or "wings." The northern wing faces Central Street and has a low-sloping roof. The southern wing extends from the back corner and has a single-sloping roof.

You can tell which parts are original and which were added later. The first three floors of the northern wing are clear when you look at the Central Street side. A thick, decorative ledge separates them from the newer parts. Later, four more floors were added to the western side, and two more floors were built on top. These newer parts look simpler.

What Was Inside?

This police station, sometimes called 'Liverpool Street,' had space for about fifty police officers who lived there in a barracks (a place for soldiers or police to live). It also had "very complete and comfortable" cells.

What Is the History of the Station?

The Sydney Central Police Station has been around for a long time and changed its uses over the years.

Changes to Living Spaces

Between 1926 and 1928, the third and fourth floors were added to both wings of the building. The original large dormitories (big rooms where many people slept) and barracks were changed into smaller, individual bedrooms and cubicles.

New Offices and Departments

By 1930, the barracks were no longer used for police officers to live in. Instead, they became offices for important police departments. These included the Criminal Investigation Branch, the Fingerprint Branch, and the Photographic Branch. These departments moved here from the main Police Headquarters.

Expanding the Holding Cells

From 1935 to 1955, the outdoor areas were covered and turned into even more holding cells. This meant the station could hold more people temporarily.

When Did It Close?

The police station officially closed its doors in 1990. However, in 2009, the holding cells on the ground floor were still being used by the nearby Central Local Court. Also, the ground floor of the southern wing was being used by the Police Prosecutors' Offices. The rest of the building was empty at that time.

Why Is It Important?

The Sydney Central Police Station is listed on the New South Wales Heritage Database. This means it's recognized as an important historical site by the government. The database provides information about special places that local and state government agencies want to protect because of their history or unique features.