Imperial police to move into CHP building
Adrik Vargas
IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA) – A new state law, originally introduced as Senate Bill 461, will allow the City of Imperial to take over a soon to be vacated California Highway Patrol (CHP) building and turn it into a new police station.
Around 24 Imperial police officers will move into the CHP offices on Imperial Avenue once the highway patrol relocates next year. The current police facilities are too small to meet the needs of the growing community.
“Our existing facility right now is the original probation slash juvenile hall. It’s not a purpose built law enforcement facility. The highway patrol, on the other hand, is a purpose built law enforcement facility,” said Imperial Police Chief Aaron Reel.
Chief Reel said Imperial is one of the fastest-growing cities in the state, and the department will benefit from the extra space.
“This gives us an additional 1200 square feet of building size, but even more facility when it comes to parking, the radio tower, just the covered areas where we can actually park police cars, park personal vehicles collected, maintain evidence,” Reel said.
Before the move can happen, the city must work with the Department of Governmental Services to finalize the transfer.
“And once that takes place, we first we have to wait for CHP to leave. And then when CHP is out, we can start that process of designing a renovation and updating it to meet our needs. And I would hope, fingers crossed, to be in there this time next year,” Reel said.
The building was constructed in 1960 and will soon serve as the new home of the Imperial Police Department.