It was all smiles on October 27 when the official opening of the Capel Police Station occurred.
After years of advocating for more police presence in the area, Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray was able to see the station come to fruition.
Mr Murray said the opening marked a special day for Capel and the South West.
"We were told time and time again that it wouldn't happen and was often a political arm wrestle," he said.
Nine officers began working at the station in late September, which Premier Mark McGowan said were additional officers to the South West.
Premier Mark McGowan and Police Minister Michelle Roberts were joined by Commissioner of Police Chris Dawson to officially open the station, located on the corner of Spurr Street and Prowse Road.
Ms Roberts said the station was built in a strategic location that would allow officers to keep the busy roads in the area safe.
She said there was also an operations room which would allow multi agency involvement when a big incident hits the area.
Mr Murray said the station would supplement the work officers do in Bunbury, Busselton and even Donnybrook.
"The Shire of Capel is a rapidly growing area with a growing need of extra services such as a permanent police presence based out of a local station," he said.
"This station will result in faster response times in the area and act as a deterrent to those doing the wrong thing, which in turn makes Capel a more attractive place for people to live."
Wardandi custodian Sandra Hill worked with artist Jenny Dawson on the artwork outside the station.
Commissioner Dawson said it was very appropriate to include Indigenous artwork as it highlighted the connection to country and community.
He also said the opening of the station weighed heavy on him as he learnt about his great, great grandfather being the same as Ms Hill's.
The station was constructed by Bunbury builders Devlyn Australia Pty Ltd, who employed a significant number of local trades during construction.
Mr McGowan said the facility was built using sustainable technologies and, over the course of a year, would generate and deliver as much energy to the supply grid as it uses.
The new police station will operate seven days a week and includes an additional allocation of staff above the South West District's current authorised strength.
Mr McGowan said the total number of additional police officers the government has committed in this term to 1100.
