HPD moves into its new facility

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Hattiesburg Police Department held a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday to officially announce its move to the Bill Russell Municipal Building.

Hattiesburg Police Officer, Lt. Jon Traxler said, "It definitely uplifts the spirits and stuff of the officers that are working here. Not just myself, but others who've been here as long as I have or longer. And, even the new officers because they see what has been put into this building for us to be able to do our job. It just shows that the community and the city stands behind the police department."

Officers said their old building was starting to fall apart and are glad to be in a new building.

"New facility, which means upgraded equipment. The services are upgraded of course with your internet systems, the air conditioning systems are better. Those types of things and the overall environment. I mean just coming into a building that looks good, smells good, instead of where we were," said Traxler.

Traxler said they will be at this location for at least 2.5 years while they wait for the city to build their new permanent home at their old location.

Mayor Johnny DuPree said once the Hattiesburg Police Department moves into its permanent home, the city will use the Bill Russell Municipal Building as a storm shelter and a community building.