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UC police station revamps its look

Dept. remodels in effort to reorganize, create new image in the workplace

By Lucia Sanchez

Daily Bruin Staff

When University Police Chief Clarence Chapman came to UCLA in June, he said he wanted the department to reflect a more professional working environment. He's betting new renovations to the police building will help.

Despite a recent 10 percent budget cut and the restructuring of the department, which resulted in lay-offs, the chief said he feels renovations ­ expected to cost between $50,000 and $70,000 ­ are necessary.

"I think it's consistent with the reorganization and new image the police is presenting," said Chapman. "We want an environment we can be proud of." Budget cuts were made in places where an excess of management positions could be consolidated, he added.

Minor police department renovations began in July and are scheduled to be finished in six weeks. The renovations include new paint, carpet, cabinets and better lighting. The cabinets are being replaced because they may fall during an earthquake, Chapman added.

Walls will be knocked down and new ones erected beginning the first week of November, according to Jerry Markham, principal project manager for the university Facilities Design and Project Management.

"We're making it clean. The building was excessively dirty," Chapman explained. The ultimate goal is to provide a more comfortable, safe and accessible work environment, he added.

A wall in the old detectives department that didn't meet fire safety standards will be knocked down, Chapman said. The open room will then be used as the new brief room for officers. Officers are now crowded into the small meeting room downstairs and stand along the wall to be briefed, said Chapman. "That's not a good environment to glean information from, that's why we picked a larger room," he added.

The detectives are happy with their new home, said Sgt. Jim Vandenberg, who works in the larger office. "We love it, it's new. Chief Chapman is thinking of our needs," he said. Vandenberg added that the new office is better organized and will help the detectives to be more efficient.

The small office adjoining the former detectives department, which is downstairs, will be turned into a training room where officers can take exams on new procedures like domestic violence training, Chapman said. Officers can also watch informative videos like "ATM Safety Tips" and "Carrying Weapons Aboard Airlines," said Chapman, adding that an interactive video system will also be installed.

Captain of Support Services Terence Baker, who now shares a small crowded office with three other people , said he looks forward to his new office."It's a long time coming," Baker said. "It will improve (my) productivity."

Plans for a brick sign with brass letters reading "UCLA Police Department" in front of the station will also add to the department's new image. The submitted proposal, which is awaiting approval from the university's Capital Projects, calls for the sign to be lit from below, Chapman said.

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