After 24 years, Campus Police building to receive facelift

During Christmas break, Campus Police Administration personnel relocated – temporarily to 1604 A Lowery St. while their main location, the Old Maintenance Building, is being renovated.

Winston-Salem State's Police Administration has resided in the Old Maintenance Building since 1988.

"I think the renovations of the Campus Police [Building] are well overdue," said Patricia D. Norris, police chief and director. Norris has been at WSSU since August 2008.

 "It [the Old Maintenance Building] was too small," Norris said.  

"We couldn't walk from one end of the building to the other [end] without going outside. It just wasn't conducive for growth, and it wasn't conducive for police work."

The blue prints for the renovation were ready before Norris came to WSSU.

She said the renovation cost of approximately $650,000 is within the University's budget.

 "The money is there.

Now, I think it's time for us to make it [Old Maintenance] look like other buildings on campus," Norris said.

It also became necessary for the Old Maintenance building to be revamped to meet the standards of the Commission Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.   

The purpose of CALEA's Accreditation Programs is to improve the delivery of public safety services, by maintaining a body of standards; establishing and administering an accreditation process; and recognizing professional excellence.

 "We are extending our time for an accreditation review," Norris said.  "We hope we will be finished [with the renovation] in six months.'   

The CALEA site team is scheduled to be in Winston-Salem to visit other law enforcement agencies next year.  "It's [timetable] working out good for us."

Norris said that the police don't have a secure Evidence Room as described as mandated by CALEA.

"Here [off campus on Lowery Street] we have that," Norris said.

The plans for the new police building include secure areas to store records and evidence. Once the renovation is finished, the Old Maintenance Building will have more office space for new personnel.

 WSSU Police has 20 sworn officers. Chancellor Donald J. Reaves approved an increase of five sworn officers.

Norris said the remaining five slots would be given to those that "Campus Police administration believes best fit the policies and procedures" of the University.

Marcus Sutton, deputy police chief, said that the several officers working part time have a chance to get one of those positions.

"We've got some reserve officers that we're anticipating that we may hire," Sutton said.

"We're training them and putting them on a squad."

Although the Campus Police Administration is temporarily off campus, police vehicles and the Communication section are still in the Old Maintenance Building. As the renovation progresses, the Communication

section will be moved in a trailer in the Campus Police parking lot. The Parking and Traffic office has been temporarily moved to the Anderson Center on the first floor, where students, faculty and staff can purchase parking decals or pay for parking and traffic violations.

As some of Campus Police continue to adjust to their temporary location off campus, Norris said that a lot of the renovations and improvements at their on campus location will come from just clearing out particular areas.