See Canonsburg's New Police Department Without Getting Booked

The Canonsburg Police Department as a new home, and it's all under one roof.

With the first phase of borough building renovations nearly complete, the Canonsburg police department will soon move into a brand-new space. 

Everything from questioning to booking and holding are on one secure floor according to Police Chief R.T. Bell. 

"I think it makes it a better working atmosphere. For years we were split up. Now we're all back in one place like we should be," Bell said.  

Mayor David H. Rhome said the changes are great for the employees and the community.

"It's now going to give us the ability to function under one roof, and it will make us so much more efficient," Rhome said. 

In the past, officers were paid overtime to sit with prisoners and watch them while other officers did the paperwork. Now with a secure holding cell and security cameras all around, an officer can monitor prisoners remotely while processing the paperwork, making what used to take multiple officers a one-person job, Rhome said. 

The space boasts a secure entry way, security cameras, a temporary holding cell, evidence room, questioning room, kitchenette and workout space for officers.

The second phase of the borough building renovations includes demolishing and redoing the current borough offices, adding municipal offices on the floor where the police are currently temporarily housed, remodeling the council chambers on the third floor, and the addition of a command center for use during disasters. 

Phase two is pegged to start soon after the cleanup and completion of phase one, which could be sometime this week, Rhome said.

The rest of the renovations should be finished within 90 days.