Where is the best site for the Eau Claire County Jail or Justice Center? The controversial question has been debated for years. Now the Eau Claire Chief of Police is speaking out about his feelings on the issue.

Chief Jerry Matysik is all for the downtown location. He says even though the police department doesn't run the jail, it by far uses it the most. He says if he has anything to say about it, the police department will not be moving to the edges of town.

One thing is for sure, Police Chief Matysik says, the Eau Claire Police Department works most effectively downtown.

"For the City of Eau Claire to even consider looking at relocating it's police department on the edges of the city, it would operationally be a huge mistake," Chief Matysik said.

He says moving the jail out of downtown would increase the police department's operating costs by tens of thousands of dollars of taxpayer money.

"It's going to build in additional costs, additional inefficiencies, downtime in transportation," he said.

"I think we're good for this neighborhood. I think we're able to deter crime that otherwise might happen because there are a lot of squad cars coming and going. Even with that, this is where the action is as far as the police department’s concerned."

County Board Supervisor Ken Fulgione says there are always initial fears with change, but that shouldn't end the discussions.

"There's other counties that have done this where they've moved their courts and jail and they get along fine."

In the end, the police department says it needs more space, but Chief Matysik says keeping the jail, sheriff's department and police department together will benefit everyone the most.

Chief Matysik says if the police department was to build a new separate building it's estimated to cost about $13 million and the costs of transportation to the jail would be tacked on to that.

He says people seem to be most focused on the jail, but doesn't want voters and decision makers to forget how the system needs to work together.

A citizens advisory referendum committee wants to help voters work through the cost of building downtown versus off site. There are two meetings where you can learn about the numbers. They're scheduled for this Sunday, March 14th at 3 p.m. and Wednesday, March 17th at 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church on 3rd and Broadway in Eau Claire.