A new Gallup Police complex will soon be a reality after ground-breaking ceremonies were held to begin construction.

The city is partnering with local contractor Murphy Builders on the $24 million project. The two-story building will be 42,000 sq. ft. The state-of-the-art facility will give officers much needed workspace and updated methods to store and process more evidence. It will also provide a much-needed technological upgrade.

“It’s very hard to get cell reception in there” Captain Erin Toadlena-Pablo told KRQE of the old facilities. “You’d see a lot of officers running outside the back side of PD to raise their phones because there was none inside the building.”

The current building is more than 50 years old. It was originally a jail and is now outdated and deteriorating. The new building is expected to be completed in two years.

"We are very excited to have broken ground today on our new Police Department building," Gallup Police wrote on Facebook. "Our existing building has served us well over the past 50+ years, but it is now literally falling apart at the seams. Murphy Builders of Gallup will be taking charge of this massive project, which we hope will be completed in about two years. The new building will be built on the same lot as our current building. We cannot express enough gratitude to the many, many people who have made this project possible!"