(Bismarck, ND) — Bismarck police are moving ahead with plans for a new headquarters that is expected to cost nearly 98 million dollars. The City Commission approved the plans, saying the outdated training facility and overcrowded offices are taking a toll on officers and police recruit instructors. There is also concern about lead poisoning in the decades-old building. The current headquarters was built in 1979, when the department had just 52 officers. Today, it serves 136 officers and more than 30 support staff. The new building also includes expanded garage space, which is expected to add years to the life of patrol vehicles.
