DeKALB | The Sycamore Police Department, 535 DeKalb Ave., recently added an 18,000 square foot addition to the old police station.

“We needed the expansion due to lack of space and lack of some necessary functions that a police station needs,” said Sycamore Police Lt. Darrell Johnson.

Some technological advances that have been added to the police station include a linked computer system which allows for better security and communication, as well as a new security system which allows police to see everything that is going on in the station, said Sycamore Mayor Ken Mundy.

The new police station also has a new area known as “sally ports.” This is an area around the back of the station which allows police vehicles to drive in and move suspects into secure areas out of the public eye, Mundy said.

The total cost of the addition was $3.5 million.

In the old police station, much of the personnel worked on fold out tables and chairs. With the new addition, everyone has their own desk and work station. Each division also has their own area, Mundy said.

“This adds to the efficiency and professionalism of the whole operation,” Mundy said. “It all adds a sense of organization and structure to the police station.”

Other upgrades to the police station include a new meeting room, new shelving and new state-of-the-art computers.

There will be a public tour of the Sycamore Police Station this summer; the date has yet to be announced, Mundy said.

“The new expansion is remarkable,” Johnson said. “It is very functional and it was built with the idea that we will be able to function 40 years in the future. It was designed to fit the city of Sycamore’s needs.”