Swampscott Police Move Into a New Era

Some officers said goodbye by taking pictures of their longtime workplace. 

Some ticked off the number of years they had spent at the Burrill Street police station — 27, 30, 33, and 15 to name a few. 

And some felt a little funny leaving the only police station they had ever worked at.

But most if not all of them welcomed Tuesday's move into the new station.

Two years and four months after voters approved — 885-858 — a $3.35 million bond to help build it, the new station at 531 Humphrey St. opened and the 75-year-old building ay 86 Burrill St. closed.

The official changing of the guard, the move from one station to the other, was 4 p.m. Tuesday — shift change.

The first two pieces of police work in the new station were both from walk-ins: a man who wanted a copy of his restraining order; and a woman who reported identity theft.

The officers are glad to be doing their work in a new and clean space with elbow room.  

The old station was exactly that: too old. And too small and unsuitable for modern police work, officers said.

Detective Tim Cassidy, who went to work for the department in 1985, said he can't tell you how many times he and others had to struggle to get prisoners down the two narrow flights of stairs to basement cells.

Lt. Tom Stephens, a 27-year veteran of the force, said one of the best features of the new home is the centralized sallyport, booking and cell area.

At the old station, officers brought prisoners through the kitchen, through the public area and then down the rickety flights of stairs to the basement cells, he said.

Now the entrance is seamless. Everything the officers need to process a new arrival is nearby: the booking desk, finger-print machine, wash basin, interview rooms, cells, bathrooms, showers. Even a room to detain 10 or more people. 

And it's all secure and centralized.

Police Chief Ron Madigan said it was a little sad leaving the old station.

A lot of history has unfolded since it opened in 1938. He had worked at the station 33 years.

But it's time for a new era to begin.

There will be an open house within two weeks, a time for the public to come see the new station after the department gets moved in and settled, the police chief said.

Another new feature at the station is its public space. 

Upstairs sits a conference room with three long rows of tables and chairs and an overhead projector. Room for at least 35 people. Room to move. 

Just as there is room to move elsewhere at the Humphrey Street station.