New look Rochdale HQ dedicated to the late Gloria Oates OBE DL

Opening of new look force HQ Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA) and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have paid tribute to the late Gloria Oates OBE DL at the official opening of Rochdale Divisional Headquarters.

Local councillors and representatives from partner agencies were among more than 40 guests who joined Vice Chair of the Police Authority, Christine McGawley JP, Deputy Chief Constable Ian Hopkins and Chief Superintendent John O'Hare for the celebration on Monday 30 January 2012.

Guests, including Gloria's family, gathered in the public enquiry counter for the unveiling of two ceremonial plaques; one to mark the official opening and one in tribute to the former Vice Chair of GMPA who passed away in 2010.

Mrs McGawley said: "Gloria was extremely passionate and committed to her work with the Police Authority. This building will enable police officers and staff to provide a first class police service for the people of Rochdale and is a fitting tribute and legacy to her."

The police station has undergone an extensive refurbishment which has transformed the building into a fit-for-purpose headquarters which meets the needs of a modern day police force.

Work on the £16M project started in August 2010 and has seen the building stripped back to its basic structure to create open plan office space. New external lighting has been installed at the front of the building, which now boasts a new public entrance and extensive glass frontage that is lit up in the evening.

Mrs McGawley added: "Walking into Rochdale Divisional Headquarters today, is like walking into a completely new building. Officers and staff now have the high-quality working conditions they deserve, providing them with the tools to deliver a continuously improving, efficient and effective police service to the people of Rochdale."

Chief Superintendent John O'Hare, Divisional Commander for Rochdale, said: "This building has been designed to maximise the strengths of our staff and enable them to work in more collaborative ways. We are already using it as a community hub, and are encouraging community groups and partner agencies to share this asset. It is important that the new headquarters remains accessible to the public in the centre of the town, and I believe it sets a high standard for future regeneration in the borough."

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This page was last updated on 31 January 2012