On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, the Indiana State Police held a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion of the newly constructed Lowell Post and Regional Laboratory facilities located at 1550 E. 181st St. in Lowell. The event was attended by many distinguished guests to include state legislators, local government leaders, chiefs of police, county sheriffs, and prosecutors to name a few.
This new, modern 40,000 square foot state of the art facility will now replace the previously outgrown and aging 8,000 square foot building, which has been home to the Indiana State Police in northwest Indiana for over 40 years (since 1977). The Lowell Regional Laboratory provides forensic analysis of criminal case evidence for all local agencies across 15 counties in northern Indiana. The increased and continually growing demands for evidentiary analysis by contributing local agencies had grown beyond the older laboratory's capabilities, making the construction of this new facility a top priority.
“This building isn’t just for us, this state-of-the-art facility is for the community and for those who have been victims or have family members that have been victims of violent crime. It represents all that is the very best in law enforcement and our continuing, and unwavering partnerships with those agencies in and around the Lowell District coverage area who, too, will benefit from the services provided by our dedicated laboratory personnel.”~ Superintendent Doug Carter
“This is another great day for northwest Indiana as we celebrate the opening of the new Lowell State Police Post and Regional Laboratory,” said Governor Eric Holcomb. “This project is years in the making and I’m grateful for state and local leadership that made it happen.”
“The Laboratory Division is one division of the Indiana State Police that literally touches every criminal justice component in Indiana. With this new facility, we will be able to serve northwest Indiana in a more efficient manner with additional personnel and state of the art forensic analysis equipment that this new facility will offer.” ~ Major Sid Newton (ISP Laboratory Division Commander)
The new Lowell Post & Regional Laboratory facility is stage 2-of-3 in a large-scale project which will modernize and increase the department’s forensic laboratory services across the entire state. A few weeks ago, ground was broken at the Evansville Post in southern Indiana, where a new Evansville Post & Regional Laboratory is now underway and slated for completion by fall of 2024. The Evansville Post will be the third and final facility built in the overall project.
Speakers at Tuesday’s ceremony included: Governor Eric Holcomb, Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter, Assistant Chief of Staff Logistics Major Jerry Williams, and Laboratory Division Commander Major Sid Newton.
Indiana State Police Lowell Post and Forensic Laboratory
Superintendent Doug Carter
State Representative Julie Olthoff, State Representative Mike Andrade, Governor Eric Holcomb, Senator Ed Charbonneau, State Representative Michael Aylesworth
Governor Eric Holcomb, Superintendent Doug Carter, Major Sid Newton, Major Jerry Williams, and Lieutenant Terry Gose
Drug Examination Area