COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (KMTV) — It's moving week for the Council Bluffs Police Department.
The department will settle into a new building and officially be open to the public on Wednesday.
After outgrowing its current 39-year-old building that was shared with the courthouse, the chief and dozens of officers and staff spent Monday and Tuesday moving into the new facilities.
The new station, which is located near I-80 and Madison Ave. is several times bigger than their current space.
"Right now in our current facility, I have 10 records technicians and they share work stations. Now they all have their own work cubicle," said Capt. Terry LeMaster, who's been on the force for 34 years.
"We've added a full cyber crime lab and a crime lab for processing fingerprints and things like that so that alone will enhance our service to the public tremendously," said LeMaster.
The new building features a new gym, and four new interview rooms, as well as more work space for all of the 114 sworn officers and 25 civilian employees.
"All of the sergeants will have their own cubicles now and the lieutenants will have their own offices," added LeMaster.
"I think it’s wonderful. I’ve always loved the job when I got it. Loved where I worked. But as we grew, the building didn’t. So as I got promoted up, and the more we worked on making these plans, and to actually see these plans come to fruition - it’s been great. So I’m very happy that I’m moving in and get to pass it on to the next group of officers. I’m looking forward to it," said LeMaster.
The new station had an initial cost of $20 million, but currently the project is about $2 million under budget. The money saved will go back into the project for additions.
