DPS showcases new headquarters during open house

SAFETY MONITOR: Thomas Sidlik (pointing), an EMU Regents, asks EMU Police Chief Greg O'Dell (background) a question about the computerized campus monitoring system in the dispatch center of the new DPS headquarters. This scene was part of a facility tour that took place after a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 22.

A building that once was used as a banquet hall for special events is now a modern technological buffet for Eastern Michigan University's Department of Public Safety.

The new DPS headquarters, located in more than 10,000 renovated square feet in the old Hoyt Conference Center, received a five-alarm welcome with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an open house Sept. 22.

"We now have a very, very good police facility. We're very excited to show you this facility," EMU Police Chief Greg O'Dell said before a good crowd moments before the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "It's greatly improved the working conditions of police officers. It is now customer friendly. Today, we will show you a police department you can really be proud of."

O'Dell thanked President Susan Martin and the Board of Regents for moving forward with the project during difficult economic times. He gave special acknowledgement to Don Loppnow, now vice president for advancement. While interim executive vice president, Loppnow took a keen interest in helping the department obtain needed resources and even went out on nighttime ride-alongs with several of the DPS officers.

"I'm completely convinced that, without your work, we wouldn't be standing here today," O'Dell told Loppnow.

"It really is state-of-the-art and I believe the best in the state of Michigan," said EMU President Susan Martin. "...The parking garage (former DPS headquarters) was not a sustainable area. Now, you are in a modern facility with technology."

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