In its ongoing effort to provide excellent service to the residents of Houston, the city’s police department has recently completed several upgrades and is on the verge of one more.
An improvement easily noticeable to visitors of the police station at Houston City Hall includes new walls and courtesy window just inside the door that combine to create a foyer. A solid-core door with an electronic keypad lock leads from the foyer to the station’s offices and space where case reports are stored.
A solid-core door with keypad handle operation now separates the front area of the Houston City Hall from the police station.
A metal storage locker unit (manufactured and donated by the Durham Co.) is installed in an inside wall for safekeeping of items seized as evidence. Another door with keypad now exists between the city offices side of the building and the police station.
“Our evidence is far more secure now,” Houston Police Chief Tim Ceplina said, “and this new arrangement really safeguards our files. Now everything is protected from anyone and everyone who comes in here having access to it, which is all part of improving our service to residents of Houston.”
Another improvement is that all HPD officers now have their own body cameras, eliminating the sharing that was previously necessary.
“That means they’ll always be using the same camera on every shift,” Ceplina said. “That will cut down on wear and tear, and the guys will all have full control of what’s on their unit.”
Finally, all six HPD patrol vehicles will by the end of February be equipped with new digital radio communication systems with connection to the Missouri Statewide Wireless Interoperable Network (MOSWIN). The sixth and last unit was recently obtained via grant funding, while the city paid for the other five.
“These are all great steps forward,” Ceplina said. “We’re very thankful for the support we get from the city and we’re proud to be a department that represents the citizens here the way they deserve.”
“These are all great steps forward. We’re very thankful for the support we get from the city and we’re proud to be a department that represents the citizens here the way they deserve.”
– HPD CHIEF TIM CEPLINA