Chief Tarik Khatib visited Lawrence Central to discuss the need for a new unified police headquarters in Lawrence. Right now are spread over six buildings throughout town, some without HVAC causing problems for storage.
The other problem is that some of the departments vehicles are on the other side of town resulting in up to a 40 minute delay by the time officers drove to retrieve the needed vehicle back to the location it is needed.
The other problem is that there just is not enough room both at either the current downtown facility in the county law enforcement center or the Investigations and Training Center at 4820 Bob Billings Parkway to house the entire department, associated equipment, and vehicles. According to Khatib placing patrol, investigations, administration, evidence, records, critical response equipment, and animal and parking control under one roof will significantly increase the communication, interaction, collaboration, and cohesiveness of internal department divisions. This in turn will ensure the department will best be able to accomplish the mission of continuing to serve the community in the most effective, efficient, and community oriented manner possible.
Khatib also said that the level of expectancy for Lawrence residents is higher than other communities, “If you car has been broken into you expect an officer to come out, not to have to fill out a report online as is the norm in other communities.” LPD also has a higher expectation than other regional departments because of the special events that are the norm in Lawrence, whether they be community or KU related. But it is also a regional destination where people come to party, and local law enforcement needs to be sensitive to those needs.
