The Raccoon City Police Station is a fictional building and the headquarters of the Raccoon Police Department (RPD), serving as a central location in Capcom’s Resident Evil survival horror video game series. The building is situated in the heart of Raccoon City and plays a pivotal role in Resident Evil 2 and its remake, serving as the main setting where players encounter hordes of zombies and the bioweapon called Mr. X. The police station conceals an entrance to a secret laboratory operated by the evil conglomerate Umbrella Corporation. The location also appears in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis and multiple spin-offs and remakes[1].
This iconic police station is unique for having been converted from a former art museum, especially notable for its intricate, artistic architecture and elaborate puzzles integrated into its structure. Its unusual layout and richly detailed design have drawn praise from critics and fans alike. The juxtaposition of a highly equipped police force ultimately falling to the overwhelming zombie outbreak deepens the dramatic irony of the setting. In the remakes, the station’s design was further enhanced for atmosphere and environmental storytelling[1].
Within the game, the Raccoon City Police Station consists of multiple key locations, including:
- The Main Hall, which serves as a central hub for navigation.
- The S.T.A.R.S. Office, belonging to the department’s special tactics unit.
- The Dark Room and Records Room in the West Wing.
- The Chief’s Office and Art Room in the East Wing.
- Additional areas such as the Operations Room, Interrogation Room, Observation Room, Safety Deposit Room, and various hiding spots and corridors[2][5].
As part of the evolving franchise, the police station has been adapted and reimagined in other games, such as Dead by Daylight: Resident Evil: Project W, where the map was split between the East and West Wings to improve gameplay flow. Notable features, such as the Main Hall and exterior access, are maintained, while the room arrangement varies to create distinct challenges and navigation paths[2].
In the storyline, the police station is where characters like Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield first converge, fighting for survival amidst the nightmarish outbreak and uncovering the dark secrets of Umbrella’s machinations[4]. The station, along with much of Raccoon City, is ultimately destroyed in a nuclear strike by the U.S. government in an attempt to contain the biohazard outbreak[1].
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