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Chester County Press

New police headquarters opens in East Marlborough

04/27/2015 11:51AM ● By J. Chambless

Robert Clarke was joined by family and community members for his swearing-in on April 25.

 The public got its first look at the new Police Operations Center at the East Marlborough Township Building on the morning of April 25 as newly appointed Chief of Police Robert Clarke was sworn in.

Board of Supervisors chairman Cuyler Walker administered the oath of office to Clarke, who was flanked by family members, township supervisors, police officers and other township officials.

The new facility, long delayed and much discussed over the past several years, was placed in the parking lot behind the townshkip building late last year. It replaced a trailer that had deteriorated, lacked toilet facilities and was not ADA compliant.

The new double-wide trailer is twice the size of the former building and fully accessible, and holds a locker room, an office for Clarke, storage area and a conference room, and a reception and office area. There is also a holding area for handcuffed suspects.

“I just want to thank the supervisors for appointing me to the position, and having faith in me to do the job,” Clarke told the crowd. “I look forward to working with everybody and working with the other chiefs.”

Walker said, “In his prior capacity, the chief was instrumental in arranging for this new facility for the police department. I have to say we've known for several years that the prior accommodations were inadequate. The prior one was half this size and, most importantly, it did not have all the electrical and internet connections it needed.

“There was some consideration of the best location for it,” Walker continued, “and that ended up extending the process. But a decision was finally made late last summer, and the trailer was here, but not fully fitted out, at the end of the year. The police department has been operating out of the new facility for a couple of months, but during that time they've been getting all the equipment in place and all the facilities up and running. We are very proud of the fact that it does meet all of the ADA requirements, which was a critical priority.

“We waited for what we thought would be nicer weather to invite people out to see it,” Walker added with a smile as a cold wind whipped through the crowd. “We thought it would be spring by now.”

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, e-mail [email protected].