Police Chief: How to Clear Precinct Debris and Set Up Workstations

To operationalize a derelict station in Police Chief, clear floor trash in the main lobby and booking area first, then set up your primary booking terminal near the entrance before placing paperwork desks in a separate space. Officers cannot process arrests or navigate efficiently if pathing obstacles block floor space or interaction sweet spots.

Clearing Precinct Debris

When entering a new building, scattered items like broken boxes, trash, and discarded furniture physically block movement and stop you from placing functional furniture.

Target High-Traffic Zones First: Access the main lobby and designated booking space before clearing side rooms.
Remove Obstructive Items: Use the interaction menu to pick up and dispose of large debris covering floor space.
Verify Open Paths: Ensure floor areas between the exterior entrance and planned workstation sites are completely clear of clutter so officers do not get stuck on geometry.

Setting Up Core Workstations

Once floor space is clear, construct workstations in order of operational necessity:

Primary Booking Terminal: Install this terminal first. It is required to process suspects brought in from the field, complete arrests, and generate precinct revenue. Position it near the building entrance to shorten the distance officers must walk while escorting detainees.
Officer Desk Area: Place administrative paperwork desks after the booking terminal is functional. Officers use these to file reports and handle precinct administration.
Storage Shelves: Mount wall storage or place dedicated racks for loose gear such as flashlights, spare evidence bags, and handheld devices. Keeping tools off the floor prevents minor physics glitches and stops officers from dropping gear when completing tasks.

Optimizing Layout for Workflow and Pathing

Station layout directly affects officer movement times and prevents interaction failures during busy shifts.

Station / Area	Recommended Location	Layout Rule
Booking Terminal	Open area near main entrance	Keep clear access on multiple sides to prevent escort bottlenecks.
Administrative Desks	Separate, quieter office space	Space desks apart; avoid cramming workstations into corners.
Tool & Gear Storage	Central hallway or wall space	Use wall-mounted units to preserve usable floor area.

Resolving Interaction and AI Pathing Errors

If officers fail to use a terminal or drop items on the floor, the game's line-of-sight or interaction range is usually obstructed by nearby objects or walls.

Maintain Wall Clearance: Avoid pushing desks or terminals flush against walls or into tight corners. If a desk is too close to a wall, the interaction target may become unaccessible to the AI.
Separate Workflows: Keep administrative paperwork areas isolated from booking traffic to stop reporting officers from blocking officers carrying detainees.
Test New Arrangements: After placing any item, walk the exact route an officer takes to confirm there are no collision hiccups or blocked lines of sight. Rearrange furniture immediately if interaction prompts fail to trigger cleanly.