Divisions

The Patrol Division is responsible for initial investigation of all crime reports, traffic enforcement, and crime prevention activity. Patrol Officers operate marked patrol vehicles to maintain a high visibility on the streets. Officers will sometimes utilize unmarked vehicles and bicycles/motorcycles to patrol or to investigate recent crime trends. After taking an initial case report, the department encourages patrol officers to investigate their cases as far as they are capable of. This allows each patrol officer to build their investigative skills, which makes them more effective, well-rounded officers.

After attending a Basic Police Academy, all new officers are required to pass a rigorous Field Training Officer (FTO) program, which allows the department to train and evaluate the officer. The FTO program is approximately twelve weeks, during which the new officer is introduced to a variety of aspects of the law enforcement profession. During the FTO program, the new officer patrols with a training officer who evaluates the new officer while he/she performs the job responsibilities. This allows new officers to gain valuable experience in their new position while allowing the department to ensure the officer will perform to department standards.

Supervision of Parking Enforcement, the Reserve Officer Program, and the School Crossing Guards are also run through the Patrol Division as well.

Like many cities throughout the Bay Area, parking is at a premium within the city of Albany. City streets are narrow, along with the property lines, which limit the number of legal parking spaces. Parking on public roadways is open to anyone as long as the vehicle is parked in a legal manner. Parking complaints are a regular occurrence, and our parking enforcement officers strive to resolve parking matters quickly and effectively through proactive enforcement.

Because of the limited parking on residential streets, the Albany Municipal Code prohibits extended parking of vehicles on public roadways. Per the California Vehicle Code, vehicles parked in the same position for more than a 72-hour period may be towed at the registered owner's expense.

Time-Limited Parking
Parking on the streets of Albany is free. However, to ensure reasonable turn over and availability of parking for everyone, there is time limited parking in the downtown area. Most parking spots on San Pablo Ave. and Solano Ave. are 90 minutes limited parking. The first few spots on each cross street of Solano and San Pablo Avenues are also, 90 minute limited parking.

Throughout the area there are a few parking spots that are 20 minutes limited parking. There are signs to indicate this, please park carefully and ensure you look for signs limiting the length of time you may leave your car.

The Albany Police Department is responsible for enforcement of timed parking in specified residential and commercial districts of Albany. Read more about Parking Enforcement in Albany.

Timed Enforcement 
Mon-Sat, 8 am-6:00 pm 
Not enforced on Sunday or Holidays 

• Parking Citation Review
• Pay a Parking Citation online
•  Street Sweeping 
• Impounded Vehicles 

The Albany Municipal Code (Section 9-1) specifies the following holidays:

If any of the holidays enumerated above fall on a Sunday, then the Monday following shall be considered as the holiday.

The Albany Police Department has a Reserve Police Officer program. These trained volunteers are sworn officers who put in numerous hours every year to supplement and assist the police department by performing as a supplemental force in patrol, traffic control and enforcement, investigations, prisoner transport, and virtually all other day-to-day responsibilities of the department. They also play a key role in community events such as the Solano Stroll, Little League Parade and National Night Out.

For more information on Reserve Police Officers visit the California Police Officer Standards of Training (POST) website.

Police records can be requested by filling out a Public Records Request Form. select the link, print the form, fill it out and submit it to Albany Police Department Lobby in person or by mail. You can also email the completed form to albanypolice@albanyca.org. If you have a question regarding access to police records, please contact the Records Supervisor.

Public Records Request

The Investigations Division is responsible for follow-up investigations of all reported crimes in Albany. The division detectives investigate crimes that have possible suspects or leads which might be too complex or time consuming for the initial reporting officer to accommodate in a timely manner. The division consists of two full time detectives, one detective sergeant, and is commanded by the Division Lieutenant.

The Detectives are tasked with efficiently investigating crimes to determine the relevance of innocence or guilt of those suspected of criminal activity. Each detective completes their follow-up case investigations, prepares the criminal case for court, and presents the case to the District Attorney's Office for prosecution. To accomplish their goals, the detective division utilizes surveillances, the service of arrest and search warrants, and information from the public.

The Investigations Division is also responsible for the department's Court Ordered Registrant unit, and the Crime Scene Investigator Unit. These units are maintained by assigned officers along with their normal duties.

Court Ordered Registrant Unit

The Albany Police Department currently has two officers assigned to the documentation of the court ordered registrants in the city. This documentation includes all sex registrants, arson registrants, and drug registrants. The purpose of the unit is to update each registrant's file either monthly or annually, fingerprinting the registrant, and ensuring each registrant is living within the requirements of their court order. If a registrant is found to be out of compliance within the parameters of their registration, the unit may petition for an arrest warrant to be issued. This would send the registrant back to court to face charges on the violation of their court order. For more information on sex registration refer to the Megan's Law Website.

Dispatch Unit

The Police Department's Dispatch Communications Unit provides the foundation of our success. This unit receives all emergency and non-emergency phone calls for police, fire and medical services. At the same time, they are aiding the patrol division with traffic stops, pedestrian contacts, and other calls for service, while also assisting citizens in the police department lobby, and responding to outside agencies with requests for aid. The ability to multitask as a dispatcher is important, especially when all of the above happens at once!

*Please note that dialing 911 from a cellular phone may direct your call to a dispatch center that was not intended and that dispatch center will in turn route the call to the associated agency thus causing a potential delay in services. Text-to-911 is the ability to send a text message to reach 911 emergency call takers from your mobile phone or device.  However, because voice calls to 911 provide more information to 911 call centers, you should make a voice call to 911 during an emergency whenever possible.

Property/Evidence Unit

The Property/Evidence Unit is maintained by Police Service Technicians (PST's) who are tasked with the documentation, secure custody, and release of recovered/seized property and case evidence. Government identification with photo is required along with proof of ownership. Appointments must be requested at least 24 hours in advance. If you are seeking to retrieve previously recovered property from the Albany Police, or if you have other business with the Property Room Officer call 1 + (510) 528-5764.

If you are claiming property for someone else, you must have either:

• A court order for the release giving you permission to claim the items; or

• The original copy of a signed and notarized letter from the rightful owner giving you permission to claim their property