Newtown police move to new headquarters 30 years in the making

The Newtown Police Department has moved to a new headquarters, located at the old Taunton Press buildings, that has been 30 years in the making.

The new department cost $15 million to construct and was built under the budget cap. The 25,000-square-foot facility includes a new communications and dispatch center, locker rooms and even a gym.

Police say they feel that they can do their jobs more effectively, especially during the pandemic.

Newtown Police Chief James Viadero says the town's new police headquarters is a huge upgrade from the small space the force was in down the street since the late '70s.

The building is about three times the size of the old police department. The police chief says he expects to have this building fully staffed in the next couple of weeks.