ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (WDRB) -- With 90 sworn officers now on the payroll, the Elizabethtown Police Department is the largest it's ever been — and running out of room.

That's why a $4 million expansion project is underway at the police station on S. Mulberry Street.

Jeremy Thompson, who has served as police chief since 2019, has overseen a significant increase in staffing during his tenure.

"From 57 to 90," Thompson said behind a smile Tuesday.

He's happy because that figure includes nine new positions approved in the city's current budget cycle, including four officers finishing up in the police academy.

The reason for more than 30 new officers since 2019 is Elizabethtown's rapid population growth. And it's expected to double in size in the coming years.

"It's not just all good as part of your growth," Thompson said. "You're going to have some negative impacts from that growth, and we need to be prepared for that."

Being prepared means having enough space to operate with more manpower. 

"Where are you going to put these people?" Thompson said, looking around. "This building has been here 20 years and it looks great, but we're out of room."

The expansion will include construction of a new building behind the current facility. It will house training equipment and large vehicles, which will free up space inside the department's main headquarters.

It's expected to be done by next spring.

"They realize (they) could probably go and work for EPD and have have better support, have better pay, have better equipment," Thompson said about the appeal of EPD. "Ultimately, that's why we've seen that success."

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