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Leander officers move into new police station

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The Leander Police Department has opened its new station, located at 705 Leander Drive.

The new building is more than twice the size of the old station, located next to the municipal building on Willis Street and, according to Lt. Greg Minton of the Leander PD, it's better equipped for police work.

“The guys are just excited to have a building that looks like a police station and functions like a police station,” he said.

While he did not have the total cost of construction readily available by press time Thursday, he said the building was paid for with a bond approved in May 2006.

Among the amenities of the new building are a new fitness center, a breakroom with full kitchen, a state of the art communication center, separate men's and women's restrooms, a full-sized evidence room with a crime scene lab, and a large training room. One of the more important upgrades was holding cells for detainees.

“Before we just had a room with a bar we could handcuff people to,” said Minton. He added the new lobby and breakroom are also nice compared to the old building. “We now have a lobby that more than four people can stand in without bumping into each other.”

Minton said the exterior of the building looks better as well, with a fence and professional finish.

Leander Police Lt. Cyndi Singleton said the police force has moved into the first floor of the building while the upper levels are completed, giving the station room to grow.

Both Minton and Singleton said the officers are excited about the new digs. Minton equated the move to buying a new home.

“People are still trying to find stuff, but we love it so far,” said Singleton.

The police department will show the new office off to the public during an “open house” Saturday, Nov. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon.

E-mail amy@hillcountrynews.com

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