The Elk City Police Department has been at its location for most everyone’s memory. Walking up to the front doors of the red brick building is a memorial plaque to Officer Mahan, who died in the line of duty not long after it was built.
The structure has housed the municipal courthouse and jail the entire time. Multiple generations know it as a mainstay for the community.
But times change and technology evolves. Chief Eddie Holland and his dedicated crew have never complained about the building itself but have vocalized needing updates to be a modern force in a modern world.
Those updates are happening now.
The ECPD is getting a voter-approved update and expansion.
However, that also means the building the force has called home will not be functional until the renovation is completed.
“We have to be out by April 15,” Chief Holland explained. “We are moving to the old City Hall at Fifth and Jefferson.”
The 911 calls are vital to police services, so they were a main priority in moving.
“We are depending on the IT people. They are the best I have worked with,” Holland reassured.
The entire building will be gutted. The ECPD has already begun using the Beckham County Detention Center for jailing.
“We have already started taking our arrestees to Beckham County,” Holland said. “We are working together to make that as easy as possible. We have told the jail inspectors that we will not be using ours.”
The municipal court system will still be used on many arrested, though.
Municipal court is expected to be held at the old City Hall.
Eventually, the ECPD will have an expansion on the east side with new technology throughout.
“We are very excited about this. It is gonna be a great place to work and something our public will be proud of,” Holland said.
He emphasized that the building was created in 1983 for its then-existing personnel, which has grown as the city has. The current building has created functional challenges for a much larger staff.
“We didn’t just think about what we need now, but we looked 40, even 60 years down the road,” Holland said.
But, like all expansions, Holland is realistic that there are growing pains.
“Our main concern is if anyone sees a disruption to let us know. I don’t think there will be. We have put so many hours into planning this transition, but we appreciate feedback. So, let us know if you see something. The police, like the entire city, are here to serve Elk City and that is our goal in this.”
