The Hampden-Sydney College police department no longer rests between Atkinson hall and the cemetery–instead, it has been moved to a house in the Alphabet dormitory row. Why did this happen? It all started last year, when an employee with health problems noticed some structural problems with the building that could have been exacerbating that health issue. For example, Restover’s floor was somewhat crooked, which could have placed uneven pressure on the body when walking inside the police station. Once these structural problems were identified, it was decided that the building needed to be inspected in order to find viable solutions for the police station’s current problems and prevent any unnecessary future problems.

Last summer, contractors and insurance inspectors evaluated Restover. In addition to the structural problems that created problems for employees, the inspectors and contractors, according the Chief Jeff Gee, discovered a serious rodent problem. It was determined that Restover was no longer a suitable police station, and the cost of repairing the police station was too high. After evaluating the costs and benefits of restoring the building, Mr. Krueger, the college Treasurer and VP for Business Affairs, and Mr. Baker, VP for College Relations and Administration, determined that the police station would not be repaired. Since their decision, the building has been demolished, after being in the Hampden-Sydney College campus for around one hundred years.

Subsequently, after it was decided that the building was to be demolished, another issue surfaced: Where should the new police station be located? Earlier in the search for a new police station, there was an idea to move the police station into Eggleston; however, complications in the moving and transitioning the police station to Eggleston and perhaps even the timing of moving the police station to Eggleston were ultimately obstacles that caused for the College to look at other alternative locations for moving the police station. After evaluating all of the possible locations, which would include any unoccupied and useable building on the College’s campus, the decision was reached to move the Hampden Sydney College police station to Gilkeson.

Moving the police station to Gilkeson appeared to be a good solution. According to Chief Gee, President Howard believed that Gilkeson would be an ideal location for the police station to call their new headquarters. The new location has some improvements and some drawbacks. According to the secretary Joan Davis, the location has more bathrooms than the old building and the entry way is much improved; however, some of the offices are a bit cramped to fit the number of officers on the police force. There is an average of 3 police officers per office in the new location. Both Chief Jeff Gee and Secretary Joan Davis believe that it will take some time for everyone to adjust to the new location.

Related posts:

1. Restover Demolished Over Break
2. H-SC Takes Over Exxon Station
3. Hoping to Deter Damages, Campus Police Increase Presence in Dorms
4. New Gun Locker on Campus Continues to Face Challenge
5. Library Building in Disrepair