The police department facelift continues in Pleasant Hills, focusing on cars and the station's layout.

"The residents of Pleasant Hills will probably notice a difference in the appearance of our police cars over the next few weeks," Mayor Warren Bourgeois said. "We are going from what we've had for many, many years, white with a decal to a more traditional police car that is black and white."

This decision was reached after a discussion with members of the department, Mayor Warren Bourgeois said.

"Black-and-white really represented what they felt a police car should look like," Bourgeois said. Borough council and myself considered the request and decided it was appropriate to move ahead.

The department plans to purchase one new police car in the spring, while repainting the remainder of the cars to the uniform two-toned style.

Chief Ed Cunningham said three of the police cars are updated with a new insignia.

"I'm really proud of them with how the cars look," Cunningham said. "It's very distinctive. Hopefully within a month's time they'll all be done."

The department will be working with public works supervisor Denny Kunkel to redesign the station's layout.

"Space is very limited," Bourgeois said. "We hope to lay out a plan to really optimize the facility. It's a work in progress."

Cunningham was unsure of the last time the station was remodeled, but said the much needed update should be done within a month or two, depending on the weather.

"We're taking one area in the department, referred to as the day room, and turning it into a new patrol office," Cunningham said. "We're adding new work stations, reassigning office spaces, painting the office and adding new carpet."

Those aren't the only changes coming to the department.

The department is testing to promote an officer to lieutenant, the position formerly held by Cunningham, and is hoping to hire at least two new patrolmen.

Participation in the South Hills Area Council of Government provides the department with a list of qualified candidates, expediting the process, council member Brad Rodeheaver said.