Albany Police Department

Protestors have taken to the streets in the Midwest after a Minneapolis black man named George Floyd was killed by police in an incident where an officer was filmed kneeling on Floyd's neck for several minutes as he lay on the ground, several times repeating "I can't breathe." In Albany, a march is planned for Saturday.

Earlier this month, the Center for Law and Justice in Albany published a report on structural racism and public safety in the city. Among other things, the report calls upon four city leaders to acknowledge the existence of structural racism in the police department.

The Albany Police Department has moved to discipline officers over an incident on First Street in March 2019. Chief Eric Hawkins told WAMC Thursday the department has issued notices of discipline to eight officers. 

The Albany Police Department is tweaking the operations of its Neighborhood Engagement Unit. Beat zones were combined and community policing was affected as the number of beat officers was reduced.  A "Team Policing" policy is emerging.

Cutting edge investigative and crimefighting technology is cleared for landing in the Albany Police Department's tactical toolbox.

The Albany Police Department has introduced its newest recruit: a 15-month-old black lab named “Maxie,” part of its new therapy dog program. 

An Albany police officer has been charged with physical assault for his actions while responding to a house party on First Street in March.

Albany police are warning residents about a phone scam where the caller pretends to represent the Social Security Administration.

Albany County District Attorney David Soares says his office will not prosecute a city man who was partially paralyzed when he was shot by an Albany police detective in August. But city activists aren’t celebrating.

An Albany city police officer has been placed on administrative leave following a fatal off-duty shooting in Utica.

Back in September, the Albany Police Department cleared Detective James Olsen of any wrongdoing in the August 20th shooting that left 19-year-old Ellazar Williams paralyzed from the waist down.  Last Friday, Albany County District Attorney David Soares released a report indicating an Albany County Grand Jury did the same. Now, a lawsuit has been filed and activists are meeting in the city...

New Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins took calls on WAMC’s Vox Pop program Tuesday to discuss law enforcement. While he was on the air, there was a new development in one high-profile case involving the department.

Nineteen new Albany police recruits received their badges during a swearing-in ceremony Thursday at City Hall.

An Albany County Grand Jury has cleared a city policeman for his part in a June fatal shooting by a police officer in Albany. A warning that audio contained in this report could be disturbing to some.

An Albany activist group has launched a probe of its own into the August shooting of a city man by a police officer.

The Acting Albany Police Chief has met with eight community residents and Center for Law and Justice staff members in the wake of an officer-involved shooting that left a young man paralyzed. WAMC's Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas has an update to a story we first brought you last week.

As the next Albany city police chief prepares to begin on September 5th, there is apparently a breakdown in the relationship between the police department and one of the city's most respected community resources.

It's official: Albany's new police chief is Eric Hawkins, who was confirmed Tuesday night by the Common Council.

Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s appointee to head the Albany Police Department meets Common Council members and the public tonight at City Hall before lawmakers vote on his nomination.

Neighbors in Albany's Arbor Hill were up in arms over the weekend after the city placed a dumpster in the middle of a popular basketball court.

An Albany police officer is on administrative leave following his arrest in Tennessee.

Public safety and police staff safety are at risk, according to the Albany Police Officers Union.

Police Chief appointee Eric Hawkins says he'll bring policies and procedures to Albany that worked well in Southfield, Michigan.

The mayor of Albany’s pick for police chief addressed reporters today at city hall.

Albany said goodbye to its second public safety leader in as many days...  the city’s fire chief was given a walkout ceremony Friday.

Albany Police Chief Robert Sears has retired from the department following more than 20 years of service. WAMC's Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas was at police headquarters this afternoon for Sears' official "piping out.”

The New York Civil Liberties Union has launched an online database of policies from a number of police departments across the state. The idea is to bring internal policies and data to the public, along with accountability and transparency.

The Albany Police Department has launched a new effort at transparency, opening an online portal in advance of a new chief's arrival.