Albany Police Department
This department has independent oversight.
Sivil routes complaints first to Community Police Review Board — the civilian oversight body for Albany. Routing here means your complaint isn't reviewed by the people it's about.
File directly with Community Police Review BoardHow easy is it to share feedback with Albany?
We audit every department's public-facing feedback channels. Last verified 08/13/2024.
Albany Police Department (NY)
How to file a complaint about a Albany Police Department officer
The Albany Police Department serves roughly 101,930 residents. If you had a problem with an officer, you have three distinct ways to file a complaint — and they are not equivalent. Here is how each one works in Albany, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.
1. Community Police Review Board — independent civilian oversight
The Community Police Review Board is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about Albany Police Department officers outside the department's own chain of command — your complaint is not investigated by colleagues of the officer involved. No notarization is required to file.
- File online with the Community Police Review Board
- By phone: (518) 445-2383
- In person or by mail: c/o Government Law Center, Albany Law School, Albany NY 12208-3494
- Community Police Review Board website
2. Albany Police Department Professional Standards — the department's internal channel
Complaints filed with Professional Standards are investigated inside the department itself. The department has not publicly confirmed whether anonymous complaints are investigated.
- Phone: (518) 462-8017
- Department page on the complaint process
3. File through Sivil
Sivil delivers your complaint by email to the right recipient for this department — routed to the Community Police Review Board so it is reviewed independently. You keep a copy, and it takes about five minutes. Start your complaint here.
Good to know
- As of our last audit, the Albany Police Department homepage did not link to a complaint-filing page — one reason many residents struggle to find the correct channel.
- The department's Facebook, Instagram and X accounts accept direct messages — useful for quick questions, though social media is not a formal complaint channel and messages there generally aren't part of any official record.
- General department line: (518) 438-4000
Compiled by Sivil from agency websites and public records; last verified 08/13/2024. Procedures change — confirm details with the agency before relying on them. Sharing a positive experience instead? Send a compliment.