How Complaints Are Handled
The Albany Police Department is committed to providing courteous and effective service to all citizens of Albany. Employees are expected to treat every individual with respect, courtesy, and recognition of individual dignity. In some cases, citizens may wish to commend the actions of a particular employee or the Department, have questions about how an incident was handled, or may disagree with the actions of an employee.
You may contact the Albany Police Department at 1117 Jackson Street SE in person, by submitting our comment form, or by telephone any time of the day or night. Call (541) 917-7680 and ask to speak to the Watch Supervisor. Explain the nature of your concern. You will be asked the following information:
- Your name, address, and telephone number so we can notify you of the outcome.
- Describe what, when, and where the incident happened; name of the officer or employee; and names, addresses, and telephone numbers of witnesses if available.
This information is important to properly document your concern. Your identity and concern will be shared only with those directly involved, their supervisor(s), and the Chief of Police.
What Will We Do?
Every complaint about department operations or employee conduct is taken seriously and is reviewed. The employee will be informed of the nature of the complaint. Sometimes a complaint is a simple misunderstanding that can be easily resolved, and other complaints will require a formal investigation.
Employees are held accountable to professional standards included in the Department’s written policies and procedures; contemporary police training; federal, state, and local laws.
This process cannot address complaints about legal issues such as whether or not a citation should have been issued or determining guilt or innocence in a criminal case. Those concerns are determined through prosecution or the judicial process.
During an investigation, all persons directly involved in the incident will be contacted. The employee involved will be interviewed, as may witnesses and others with relevant information. You may be contacted for additional information during the course of the investigation or asked to give a recorded statement.
It is the Department’s goal to complete investigations within 30 days of receiving the complaint. There are sometimes delays, such as difficulty locating witnesses, that may extend this time period. You may call the investigating Internal Affairs Officer at (541) 917-7680 at any time to check on the progress of the investigation.
Formal investigations are reviewed by the employee’s supervisor, Division Commander, and the Chief of Police. Complaints may result in corrective/disciplinary action.
Records of disciplinary action taken by the Department are considered personnel records and are exempt by law from public disclosure.
What Happens Then?
You will be contacted by the investigating Internal Affairs Officer with the results of the investigation.
If you are not satisfied with the results of the investigation, you may contact the City Manager at (541) 917-7501. The City Manager may review the investigation and respond to your concerns.
