4/7/08-7

Thursday, 27 March 2008
Lindon gets police department and fresh start Print E-mail
Rette Speight - NORTH COUNTY STAFF

Starting fresh holds unique opportunities for Lindon's new police department.
"This is my police department, and I'm going to do it right," said Lindon Police Chief Cody Cullimore. "Very seldom communities get to build up from scratch. This is just awesome."

"Doing it right" includes making the most of the 2,320 square feet and taking on other contributions, such as personally designing the new and shining badges.

The new facility will hold two records receptionists, one administrative assistant, one detective, two sergeants and 15 officers. Located in the bottom of the city hall building, the facility will be ready to open its doors as early as April, but is scheduled to open May 15.

The most important role of a police department said Cullimore, is the type of involvement in its community. The general type of interaction people have with their officers is negative, and the new department is striving for a connection to be a partner, and not a confrontational department with its citizens said Cullimore.

"Every time I can make a positive interaction, I'm winning the game," Cullimore said.

But for those negative interactions that can't be avoided, the new building will be just as ready as its officers. The key to the structure said architect Jay Taggart of Curtis Miner Architecture who designed the building, was efficiency.

The design of the facility had no change on the existing structure, said Taggart.

A plus for the employees will be the natural light brought into the facility said Taggart. In addition to keeping offices on the edges, even the center conference room will get natural light. By keeping the natural light, Taggart said it would be healthier for the employees.

Using new technologies and taking advantage of the small size of the community, the facility will already have a head start.

The department will lease 15 trucks and Explorers from Ford (no cars), which will be returned every two years. By leasing the vehicles, the department will not be responsible for any repairs other than basic maintenance up-keeps, as anything big will be taken care of through the warranties.

At least four police bikes will be purchased for the officers said Cullimore, but depending on the number of officers who want to be on bikes, more will be purchased.

"I really hold physical fitness in the highest importance," Cullimore said. "And these bikes are perfect. They're quiet, and can be used for all kinds of policing stuff within the community."

The new bike-patrol uniforms are top of the line, and modern.

"We could have gotten $350 bikes for the officers, but we've chosen to spend about $1,500 on them because we want the kids in our community to think we're cool. We want everyone to want to approach us," said Cullimore.

Within the facility, the two holding rooms and evidence room will have tiled floors with drains, and the ceilings and walls will be sprayed with epoxy coating for easy clean up.

Costing the new department a pretty penny, the Salt Lake based Spillman Technologies computer program will connect Lindon with the rest of the state. Spillman Technologies started their program in Logan, and now connects the country for more efficient police work.

So far, the department has spent approximately $700,000 said Cullimore. The city has budgeted $1.8 million for the 2008-2009 fiscal year to finish other costs.

"These aren't going to be people who you'll run from," said Mayor Jim Dain. "They'll be your friends."
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