There are still boxes to be unpacked and some electrical and interior work to be completed, but Winfield’s newly remodeled police department is up and running.

The Winfield Police Department has been relocated to 10688 Randolph St., in the former Peoples Bank, and is open for business.

“It’s exciting for every member of the police department to move into a new facility that represents growth, more opportunities and a fresh new building,” Town Marshal Robert K. Byrd said.

Byrd, who was sworn in as Winfield’s town marshal on April 22, said opening day of the remodeled building was on Monday.

“This is Day 2,” Byrd said during an interview held on Tuesday.

The police — a department of nine including the chief — moved from its former building at the Winfield Municipal Complex, just east of the new police headquarters.

That opened up space in the Winfield Municipal Complex will be used for the Winfield Town Clerk-Treasurer’s office and other town needs, he said.

“For the last couple of weeks we’ve been bringing over piecemeal items from the other police department with the town’s public works department doing the heavy lifting,” he said.

The newly remodeled police department includes the clerical operations room where Winfield Police Administrative Clerk Gabrielle Schroader handles incoming calls and provides such things as gun permits and towing releases, he said.

“She’s the face of the department as you walk in,” he said.

Other rooms inside the department include Byrd’s office, the deputy chief’s office, a break room, a squad room, a detective’s room, and an interview and prisoner processing room.

The bank’s former vault has been kept in place and will be utilized to store property and evidence.

The new building doesn’t have its own jail.

“Almost all who are arrested go to the Lake County Jail,” he said.

Byrd commended town officials for making use of a vacant building.

The building served as Peoples Bank until Dec. 31, 2022, when it closed, according to a sign formerly posted on the front doors.

“They (town officials) made excellent use of a vacant building and it was good for town officials to acknowledge a potential resource for a growing town and growing police department. It flows perfectly for us and the new building is much appreciated,” he said.

The Town Council last year awarded contracts, including painting, plumbing, carpentry, flooring, electrical and plumbing, totaling $229,050 to repurpose the former bank.

The town is leasing the 1,864-square-foot building at a monthly cost of $4,830 from Winfield Development 1 LLC.

The town will have an initial seven-year lease with options to extend the lease to five years then an additional five without negotiations, Town Manager Nick Bellar said.

The owner of the building has also agreed to contribute $50,000 toward remodeling the building, which is zoned planned development commercial.

Byrd said that by opening the new police department, town officials are giving residents what they want in their community which is placing public safety as first and foremost.

“This represents the Town Council’s commitment to that,” he said.

Future plans for the police department include having a total of 15 officers and turning the marshal-based department to a metropolitan one such as is taking place in Burns Harbor.

Byrd said he can’t stress enough the need for residents to make calls and report crimes in their neighborhoods.

“Every resident has the responsibility to report crimes and partner with police to create a safe community. The public is our eyes and ears. We can’t be everywhere,” he said.

An open house is planned to be held in the coming weeks so the community can tour the new facility, he said.

The Winfield Police Department phone number is 219-779-9326. For emergencies, residents should call 911.

Deborah Laverty is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.