The Prince George RCMP officially unveiled its new detachment on Victoria Street in a ceremony on Saturday - although police won't begin operating out of the facility until late this year or early next year.
The stylish, modern $38.95 million, 63,636 square foot detachment isn't just about esthetics, according to Supt. Eric Stubbs, officer in charge of the Prince George RCMP detachment.
"This is a significant upgrade for us. [But] as nice as the building is on the outside, and inside, it's a very functional building," Stubbs said. "We're doubling our square footage from the old building, and we need it. We'll use every square inch."
Currently the Prince George RCMP are based in a 32,776 square foot building on George Street built in 1972 to accommodate police and court services.
In addition to housing operations currently based in the Prince George detachment, the new detachment will also house the RCMP's exhibit storage, transcription clerks, fleet maintenance bay, Prince George Community Policing services and some city bylaw enforcement officers - eliminating the need for three offsite facilities.
Having community policing, victim services and bylaw services all in the detachment will foster closer relationships between the agencies and provide better service to the public, Stubbs said.
The new detachment will also feature a larger, and safer, detention cell area, Stubbs said.
"Our [current] cell blocks are not up to standard, and we know that," he said.
The current cells have barred doors and metal beds. The new cells feature solid metal doors and have concrete benches for sleeping - while the two drunk tanks have heated concrete floors.
A coroner's inquest into the June 26, 2008 death of Cheryl Anne Bouey found the outdated design of the detachment's cells allowed her to hang herself from the cell door while in police custody.
The new cells are also on the main floor, Stubbs said, instead of a cramped elevator ride up to the second floor.
"It's a confined area, and to go up with someone who doesn't want to be there can be unpleasant," he said.
Overall, the new facility will provide a better working environment for officers, and help officers in their duties, he said.
"We will continue to be relentless to drive down crime in our community, but now with a building that will assist our members," Stubbs said.
In a tour for media and delegates Cpl. Craig Douglass pointed out some of the many features of the new building.
Instead of a single meeting room, the new detachment includes multiple meeting rooms of various sizes, Douglass said.
Electronic fobs will limit access to sensitive areas of the detachment; there will be new equipment and more space for the forensic identification section; a dedicated work area for the detachment's audio and video analyst; three project rooms for storage of files and information regarding ongoing investigations; three instead of two rooms for interviewing suspects; locker rooms which can be resized to accommodate the male/female ratio at the detachment; an exhibit storage room with proper coolers, freezers, driers, ventilation and improved evidence handling facilities; officers will have a lunchroom, kitchen and gym facility; prison guards will have a lunch area as well; and the building can be expanded to accommodate future use.
In addition, the building is certified at the silver level under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The building will consume 61 per cent less power than comparable buildings the same size and features solar panels to heat the building's hot water and fresh air intake; a living wall in the lobby; groundwater-based cooling system; air intake-exhaust heat exchange system; storm water recycling; and is heated by the city's Downtown District Energy System.
The RCMP's top commander, Commissioner Bob Paulson, was in Prince George for the unveiling.
"It's a tremendous place for our officers to work. I'm looking forward to seeing the place," Paulson said.
Mayor Shari Green said the construction of the detachment has been a long process for the city, and took commitment by city councils past and present to see to completion.
"Lesser politicians might have wavered," Green said. "I'm very proud to be among those who did the right thing. This building will be a testament and credit to the RCMP and community for years to come."
