Gilroy Police Department
Police continued from page 9
Inside a jail cell at the new police station facility.
and shut-off the area so that the area can be completely sealed-off from the rest of the parking structure— no chance of the suspect running from the car.
The offices on the second floor are carefully designed to suit the needs of the different departments. The detectives have closed-off units that allow for more privacy. The gang task force has an open area that allows for more interaction. Staff and administrative offices have easy access to one another. The whole building is well laid out and shows a tremendous amount of foresight and planning. Retired Assistant Chief Lanny Brown and City Planning Department, Bill Headley, were the project managers on the station.
The lobby is open, spacious and as inviting as a police station can be. There is a large tribute to the first Gilroy police chief, C. J. Laizure, and local police work that dominates the lobby area. Right off the lobby and with direct access to the outside is a large community meeting room. With prior arrangement this room can be made available to community groups. Also off the lobby are small meeting rooms where victims and witnesses can meet privately with officers. The station also house the 911 communications and dispatching group in a spacious open area. This area is a marked contrast to the previous basement dungeon location. There are new areas for evidence processing and storage. Everything is well laid out, consistent with current police procedures and reasonably state of the art. The fixtures and appointments are functional, not extravagant.
In the center of the building is a two-story atrium with a common area for officers and staff. The beautiful wall renderings, live plants and sky lights remind officers that not all is as gloomy and depressing as what they might see on the street.
Gilroy Police Department
MISSION: Providing excellent public safety services in partnership with the community.
VISION: Building community partnerships to provide a safe environment in which to live work and play
VALUES: • Respect • Integrity • Compassion • Teamwork
• Innovation • Accountability
MOTTO:
Pride, Professionalism, Service
JULY / AUGUST 2007 GILROY TODAY 15