By Annabeth Miiler,
ShowMe Times Editor

After more than 30 years, it was time for a bit of a ‘facelift.’

The Dexter Police Station is undergoing an important transition this summer as construction work is under way right alongside the day-to-day work of the Dexter Police Department. A long-awaited expansion and remodeling project is underway at the facility on Cooper Street.

"The original building was built in the early 1970s,” said Police Chief Sammy Stone. "There were two additions to the original structure, but the look and functionality of the facility were not greatly changed."

Now in a new millennium, there are new needs for a community police station. Stone said the new structure will take into consideration the needs of technology – including wiring and Internet and new office equipment as well as improvements in law enforcement tools.

“There’s a greater need for technology today,” Stone said during a tour of the station and the addition.

Many changes within the existing facility will allow for great records storage, a cyber crime lab, and new tools for the Dexter police force. The old portion of the facility will be remodeled to house new administrative offices, new communications department, work space for officers, new booking room, as well as a new entrance facing Cooper Street.

“We’ve really needed this for quite a while,” Stone said. He joined the Dexter Police Department in the early 1970s, and has witnessed first-hand the previous two remodeling projects. This project, however, is the most significant change to the facility in his tenure.

The contractor for the project is Walker Construction of Dexter. Architects are Dille & Travel, LLC, from Poplar Bluff.

Stone said funding for the project is from two sources – a USDA Rural Development grant of $85,000, as well as money set aside for the expansion by the department for the last several years.