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Fayetteville Police Department to Inhabit New Digs

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FAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville police officers are experiencing quite a change ... of venue. The department is in the process of moving to a new building Tuesday night.

Workers began moving non-essential items into the new Police Administration Building earlier in the day. The city previously leased 35,000 square feet from the county.

Officials say the new 55, 000 square foot building will allow the department to operate more efficiently.

Meanwhile, department employees are packing up. They will move four blocks down the road into a building twice the size.

Size was the biggest problem at the Law Enforcement Center. For example, there are seven burglary investigators working out of the cramped quarters. They will now be able to spread out into more space at their new office.

"It will give investigators more space, a better chance to work with their victims and talk to them over the phone without worrying about someone next to them being able to hear their conversation," said Fayetteville Police Sgt. David Houp.

The old building had just three interview rooms. Suspects and victims waited in the same area. The new building has 16 interview rooms and a facility-wide security system to protect employees and visitors.

"If someone did get out of an interview room, and our interview rooms are more controlled, but if they did get out, they possibly couldn't get out of the building because of access controls," said Sgt. Tim Hayworth.

Currently, some police divisions are located in different city buildings. Now, all will be under one roof. Officials say that is key to solving certain crime patterns.

The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office will take over the space left behind by the police department. After a fresh paint job and new carpets, sheriff's employees will move into empty offices, relieving their congestion problem as well.

All the police computers and other major equipment will be moved beginning Friday at 5 p.m. The movers will work through the weekend to ensure the new police department will be running by Monday morning.

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