Murphy The Murphy Police Department has operated for decades out of a cramped, aging headquarters patched together inside a street-level corner of the old Carnegie Library downtown.
Not any more.
“After years of planning and support from the town and its residents, the Murphy Police Department officially moved into new headquarters at 498 Hill St., a facility designed to meet the demands of modern law enforcement and community service,” according to a release from town officials. The old facility “was no longer suited to the operational requirements of contemporary law enforcement.”
The town paid previous owner Samuel McAfee $565,100 in cash for he building over the summer, then added another $70,000 to outfit the building. Local officials visited other police stations in the region for inspiration when they designed the new space.
The new station was a bank when it was built in 1988. The building is 5,472 square feet, nearly three times the space at the old police headquarters, and stands on a 0.68-acre lot with off-street parking for visitors and a fenced, secure parking area in the back for the patrol fleet.
Inside, the building was completely redone, with private offices for senior staff and cubicles for each of the department’s patrol officers.
The old bank safe was repurposed as the department’s evidence locker. Another locked room serves as the department’s armory. The building includes a gym, kitchen/break/laundry room, a small outdoor break area, spacious training room, and men’s and women’s locker rooms, including showers.
Contrast that with the old headquarters on Peachtree. It was tucked inside a building constructed in 1919 that it shared with the Cherokee County Historical Museum. Police parked on the street.
The town put resources into making the space useful over the years, adding a kitchen and other useful features, but some offices had exposed network wiring to bring 21st century functionality to a building constructed before the advent of commercial radio. Patrol officers shared a desk.
Not that there is competition, but the Andrews Police Department today operates in a newly renovated and expanded facility that was once town hall, and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office also operates out of a modern facility built in 2008.
Town officials said the new headquarters is fully operational and “promises enhanced efficiency and expanded capabilities for the department’s growing team. It features modern, spacious training areas, ample space for equipment storage and improved administrative offices, all aimed at fostering a more effective police force.
“This move is a leap forward in our commitment to community safety and excellence in service,” Mayor Tim Radford said. “The new facility stands as a testament to our dedication and readiness to meet future challenges head-on.”
A public grand opening has been scheduled at the new police headquarters at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 14.
Radford said the event will give the community an opportunity to tour the new headquarters and engage with the officers. “This event is anticipated to strengthen the ties between Murphy police and the residents it serves, reinforcing a mutual commitment to safety and security,” he said.
The new location has not just improved workspace for officers, but also brings with it a promise of greater community interaction and engagement.
“Our new home allows us to serve the public in ways we simply couldn’t before, thanks to the foresight of the Murphy Town Council, town administration and the unwavering support of our community,” Police Chief Tim Lominac said.
The police department will continue to use the old headquarters space, Radford said.
“Right now, we are keeping it for the police department’s use while they move the evidence into the new facility. … That’s a process and will take some time,” he said. “The decision on what to do with the space after that will be up to the town council’s pleasure. No immediate plans for now.”
Maintaining a presence downtown is important to many business owners, who appreciate the added police presence. Some expressed concern that security downtown would be diminished because of the move.