State Police ask lawmakers for $6M Pocatello facility

Idaho State Police in Pocatello are asking lawmakers for $6 million to build a new District 5 headquarters.

They say workspace is currently cramped and their four divisions are spread out over three separate offices, hampering communication.

“My office is here with patrol so when I need to deal with investigations, it’s either the phone or I drive across town,” said Capt. Eric Dayley.

Dayley said all of the extra buildings are leased, racking up a large monthly bill.

“We estimate we can reduce those costs by about two-thirds if we are in a combined facility,” said Dayley.

Dayley said the current location of the forensics lab — right across from a rail yard — is also slowing down their work.

“They operate very sensitive equipment, and when you have railroad cars slamming against each other creating vibrations and different things, it just — it throws their instruments off,” said Dayley.

ISP hopes to build the new facility on vacant land next to its existing District 5 headquarters on South Fifth Avenue.

Lawmakers have already approved $600,000 for planning and development and ISP is asking them to approve the rest of the money during the current legislative session.

If approved, Dayley said construction on the new building could begin in July.

He said the current building would likely be taken over by the Idaho Transportation Department.