SURFSIDE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The Surfside Beach Police Department has expanded its headquarters and moved some of its operations into a new building.
The department is moving 15 patrol officers out of the main building on Pine Drive and into a new patrol annex right next door.
“Front lines are the most important part of this agency, boots on the ground, out in the field,” said Chief Kenneth Hofmann.
This building used to be where the town’s volunteer rescue squad was based, but, according to Hofmann, it’s been empty since about 2012. Last July, Surfside Beach Town Council allocated almost $30,000 in the town budget for the police department to completely renovate the building. Chief Hofmann said the space was much needed due to overcrowding at the main building.
“A lot of times we had three people occupying one small office,” described Chief Hofmann. “We had detectives and a uniform lieutenant in one office who were constantly on conflicting phone calls. Not a productive environment to be able to get things done.”
Chief Hofmann said the officers now have a dedicated space to conduct paperwork when they’re not in the field, as well as for shift training.
“We have the officers’ attention, we have them seated before they go out into the field, which is great because we can keep everybody updated on quick changes to laws, policies or procedures,” he said.
The department is now also able to hold formal briefing sessions with patrol officers, twice a day, before each 12-hour shift. Hoffman said they weren’t able to do that in the old building.
“It wasn’t conducive to be able to sit down at a table, listen to a supervisor, take some notes, and really prepare yourself to go out into the community and address problems,” he confirmed.
According to Hoffman, holding formal briefing sessions is also a requirement for the police department to receive state accreditation, which he hopes to achieve this year.
“Being able to provide a normal shift briefing is one of those standards that we needed to meet that we weren’t able to meet next door. So we’ve accomplished one more big hurdle,” said Hofmann.
Officers officially moved into the building in October, but the department has still been putting touches on it since. They are now ready to unveil it to the public and invite community members to an open house at the annex on Thursday, Feb. 1. The annex is located between the police department and town hall.
