IUPD moves into 17th St. location

After a week of moving, months of planning and years of searching for a new house, the IU Police Department officially began work out of their new station Monday afternoon.\n“I’m really amazed because it’s been over a year since we started making floor plans and then changing floor plans,” said IUPD Capt. Jerry Minger. “Now we’re down to everything coming together.”\nEven though IUPD will continue to move in throughout the next few weeks, communications and dispatch are functioning out of the new station on 17th street. If the public would like to report to the police office, they should report to the new station, Minger said.\nFor about 40 years, IUPD shared its home with Residential Programs and Services and has taken up the downstairs section of the building and parts of the first floor. It now resides on the first two floors of the former Kappa Alpha Psi house at 1469 E. 17th St.\n“When I first walked into this building, all the rafters were all rusty because of water damage,” Minger said. “Because of the moisture, there was mold all around the building. One contractor used dry ice that was able to kill black mold and other contaminants.”\nThe house had to be renovated in several areas. Many walls were torn down to make the rooms that had once been dorm rooms into a functional police headquarters. Downstairs, the squad room, shift commander’s office and the clerical section all have adjoining windows which allow the officers to see into all three rooms.\n“This is the first time we’ve had our own building,” said Lt. Tom Lee. “We’ve got more space than we’ve had before. In the past, we’ve never been able to work comfortably. We had nine people in a room that was made for one.”\nThe location of the building is also much more convenient for IUPD, Minger said. It is located right behind the soccer field and many of the offices will overlook the Little 500 track.\n“We’re right by the Little 500 track and we’re close to track meets,” he said. “We’re so close to areas that all of us work extra time.”\nThe station will also have new areas, including an interview room, a larger locker room and an emergency operations center, Minger said.\n“The additional space really helps out,” said Sgt. Craig Munroe. “We have three lieutenants and six sergeants in one area. It’s hard to imagine it until we have furniture in and we can see it.”\n“You can imagine this is a godsend for us, not to mention a great view,” he said as he looked out his new office window over the soccer field.