Growth Indicators
Overflowing Missoula Police Department Hoping for New Building
By Tad Sooter, 2-02-06
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“We have officers crammed three, four, five to an office,� Missoula police chief Rusty Wickman said. “The police academy is being shared by other parts of city government offices... we have confidential records with no room to store them.�
The department has been trying to match the 3 percent growth rate they consider average for the city, but with no more room for parking or office spaces they have been cramming more and more officers and cruisers into the same old building downtown.
“I’ve been here for 30 years,� Missoula Police captain Dick Lewis said. “I remember when we had just 32 officers, we’ve gone from 32 to over 100.�
Along with office space the department is scrambling to find places for its more than 48 official vehicles. Cruisers are parked two deep outside the department and overflowing cars are siphoned to a maintenance building across town on Scott Street. Motorcycle officers have had to take their bikes home, officers are sometimes forced to park on the street and shift changes suffocate the grounds as all officers report to the building at once.
Though the cramped quarters have made some things chaotic, Wickman said there hasn't been any problems with response times because most officers being dispatched were already out on patrol.
A plan is in the works that could give the city and county’s emergency services much needed breathing room. The idea is to create a new public safety building that would incorporate the city sheriff’s department, the county police department, 911 Center and Department of Emergency Services all harmoniously under one roof.
An architect from Kansas City has toured a few sites around town and is working up building plans, but where to put the conglomerated services remains in debate.
“The County wants it out by the jail (near Mullan and W. Broadway) I’d like to keep it here downtown,� Wickman said.
Wickman said Mayor John Engen has been involved in the planning but nothing has been presented to city or county government and there is no timeline yet for a proposal.
[End of article]
Nice story Tad. Is it true they only have one bathroom for all the officers? A Missoula grows,so does crime and the job becomes more dangerous than ever.
Despite the stories I have read and heard about I have had nothing but wonderful experiences with the police in town. Lets hope they get the money they need to keep pace with the growth.