Complaint Form (Spanish)How do I file a complaint?Where do I get a complaint form?Who can help me fill it out?How will I know if the CPRB received my complaint?What happens after I file a complaint?How will I know when my complaint is being reviewed?Who makes the final decision?
Fill out a Citizens' Complaint Form. You may file a complaint in person or by mail with the CPRB or with the Albany Police Department. Complaint forms must be signed by the complainant and can be dropped off at the CPRB's office or at any Albany Police Station. (Download the Complaint Form above in English or Spanish).
You may download a copy of the complaint form from this site or obtain one at any of the following locations:
Albany City Clerk's Office City Hall, Room 202, Albany, NY 12207 Phone: (518)434-5090
Albany Citizens Council on Alcoholism and Other Addictions 3 City Square Plaza, Albany, NY 12207 Phone: (518)434-2367
Albany Community Development Agency* 200 Henry Johnson Blvd., Albany, NY 12210 Phone: (518)434-5240
Albany High School 700 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12203 Phone: (518)454-3987
Albany Housing Authority* 200 South Pearl St., Albany, NY 12202 Phone: (518)641-7500
Capital Area Council of Churches Emergency Overflow Shelter 646 State St., Albany, NY 12203 Phone: (518)426-1227
Capital District Gay & Lesbian Community Council* 332 Hudson Ave., Albany, NY 12210 Phone: (518)462-6138
Center for Law & Justice, Inc. * 153 South Pearl Street, 2nd Fl., Albany, NY 12202 Phone: (518)427-8361
Government Law Center of Albany Law School 2 Notre Dame Dr., Albany, NY 12208 Phone: (518)445-2329
New York Civil Liberties Union* 90 State St., Suite 518, Albany, NY 12207 Phone: (518)436-8594
Albany Police Department's Office of Professional Standards* 200 Henry Johnson Blvd., Albany, NY 12210 Phone: (518)462-8017
Albany Police Department–Center Station 536 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12203 Phone: (518)458-5660
Albany Police Department–North Station 170 Henry Johnson Blvd., Albany, NY 12210 Phone: (518)462-8684
Albany Police Department–South Station 126 Arch St., Albany, NY 12202 Phone: (518)462-8050
Albany Police Department–West Station 223 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12205 Phone: (518)458-9148
Albany NAACP 138 Clinton Ave., Albany, NY 12210 Phone: (518)463-5463
University at Albany–University Police 1400 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12222 Phone: (518)442-3131
Some Area Churches ( Please contact the CPRB for more information)
The above organizations with an asterisk (*) have agreed to provide assistance with filling out complaint forms.
You will receive a letter in the mail from the Board notifying you that your complaint has been received.
You will receive a letter from the CPRB notifying you that your complaint has been received.
The Office of Professional Standards (OPS) will:
conduct an immediate investigation of the complaint;
submit its preliminary findings to the CPRB for review.
The CPRB will:
review a copy of your complaint;
appoint an independent monitor to observe the OPS' investigation in cases where there is an allegation of excessive use of force or violation of civil rights;
upon receipt of the OPS' preliminary report, appoint a Board member serving on the Complaint Review Committee to review the OPS' investigation of the complaint and prepare to present the complaint at a monthly meeting of the Board;
schedule the complaint for review at a regular monthly meeting of the Board;
present the complaint and review the preliminary findings of the OPS and:
render its own finding and notify you, the Police Chief, and the affected officer(s);
may request that the OPS conduct further investigation of the complaint;
may obtain further case-specific information from the Police Chief; or
may refer the complaint to mediation.
You will receive a letter from the CPRB, notifying you that the Board will be reviewing your complaint. In the letter, you will be provided with the date, time, and location of the monthly meeting in which your complaint is scheduled to be reviewed, and you will be given an opportunity to attend the meeting and to listen to the presentation and review of your complaint.
The Police Chief will review the Department's preliminary report in light of the CPRB's finding and make a final determination, notifying you, the affected officer(s) and the Board.