It was 9 a.m. on a grey, rainy, chilly Friday morning as the Great Bend Police Department’s first sift gathered for roll call before heading out on patrol. This was nothing new for the officers and Police Chief Steve Haulmark, something they do every morning. But, there was one notable difference Friday. It marked the first morning of the first full day for the department to work out of the city’s gleaming new Justice Center at 12th and Baker. The new structure houses the new Police Station and Municipal Court Office. “We’re still trying to find a home for everything,” Haulmark said. But, even with boxes piled about and personnel unpacking their offices, “it is starting to feel homy.” After years of planning, “It’s great to finally be here,” he said. In the large squad room that can double as a site for training, Sgt. Bill Paden had just concluded the briefing. “It’s kind of nice having the bigger space. We’ll have more room to move around,” he said. “But, we’re still trying to figure out where everything is.” After spending the bulk of his 18-year law enforcement career in the cramped, dank, outdated old station on Williams, he is ready for the change. “I think it is going to be good,” he said. This may have been the first full work day in the center, but Haulmark, Paden and company, along with other city employees, spent all of Thursday moving into the new location. “That was a full day,” Paden said, noting they all had sore muscles to show for it. For now, there is still that new building smell.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
