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.