Durham police's old mobile command center looked less like a crime-fighting tool than a vehicle suitable for a weekend trip to the mountains.

The new version looks like it can drive through a brick wall.

It's not completely outfitted yet -- computers and more radios need to be added -- but that hasn't kept the department from showing off its $300,000 vehicle at community events in recent weeks.

The department paid for the vehicle with asset-forfeiture funds obtained through cash and property seized during criminal investigations. This money is used to pay for equipment or expenditures not included in the departmental budget.

Mobile command centers are used by many police departments -- even Duke University's small department has one. In major public-safety operations, the vehicles put the decision-makers close to the action while giving them protected space to organize and dispatch resources.

"Anything where you're going to be out for a long period of time ... you're going to need shelter, food, bathroom facilities and a quiet place to work where all your different agencies can come together," said Durham master officer J.A. Pickett Jr., the vehicle's custodian.

In his position, Pickett takes care of the vehicle as if it was his own. This helps in maintaining upkeep and accountability, which was an issue with the department's old mobile center -- a converted RV -- because it had so many drivers. The newer vehicle has more room for equipment and people, and is expected to last longer.

"The other one's only 10 years old and it's falling all to pieces," Pickett said.

The department plans to keep the other vehicle in case of two simultaneous events.

Inside, the new mobile center has a number of amenities, including work stations and a kitchen. It also has a space that can be converted into a conference room or a seating area for buckled-in passengers.

"This one is set up more like an absolute office," said Sgt. Lori Ray, Pickett's supervisor.