Police Department FAQs

The person most directly affected by the alleged conduct should be the person to complain. Under most circumstances, this is the person most likely to provide the best information about the incident. However, third party complaints will be accepted and investigated to the best of our ability.

To help ensure evidence is still available and recollections of the incident are fresh, complaints should be made as soon as possible after the alleged misconduct occurred.

Anonymous complaints are investigated, but not recommended. Although anonymous complaints are investigated, the investigations are less likely to reveal all the facts surrounding an incident when the investigator is unable to contact the complainant. Troy Police Department encourages individuals with allegations of misconduct by our employees to identify themselves and submit to an interview.

The subject of the complaint should involve alleged misconduct by an employee. The focus of the Troy Police Department complaint procedure is on alleged misconduct by the Troy Police Department employee that encompasses violation of laws or Troy Police Department policies and procedures. Dissatisfaction with an arrest or ticket is not considered a “complaint” and you will be referred to the court with the appropriate jurisdiction.

If your incident is an emergency, call 911. If non-emergency call 518-270-4421.

No, If a crime took place outside of the City of City of Troy, NY Police Department please call the police department for that city.

If this took place on a state Freeway please call the Highway Patrol Office nearest you.

A known suspect is when you or someone else knows the person or where to find the person who committed the crime or the license plate number of the vehicle the suspect(s) were in.

A complaint is a written document submitted to the Ethics Commission containing allegations that a City Official has violated one or more of the City's governmental ethics laws. The person filing the complaint with the Ethics Commission is called the "complainant." The person in the complaint who is alleged to have violated the City's governmental ethics laws is called the "respondent." All complaints must be notarized prior to submission.

The Commission's sworn complaint form can be filled out and printed from the Commission's website, or sent to you via mail/email. The sworn complaint must be mailed or dropped off at the City Clerks Offices; it cannot be submitted electronically. Please email the Ethics Commission if you would like a sworn complaint form mailed to you or call the City Clerk at 518-279-7134 or contact the Personnel office if a city employee.

No. The Commission's procedures, as set forth in City Code section 43-22(a), only allow for written sworn complaints to be filed though they may be turned in during the public section of general meeting, but there will be no discussion on the matter.

The Commission's procedures allow Commission staff to process a complaint that does not include the name of the complainant but all claims filed must contain your name and contact information. Under New York States Labor Law Section 740 and City Code Section 43-3.1, Employees are afforded whistleblower protection and protection from retaliatory actions. You must check the appropriate box on the complaint form to notify the commission that you are filing as an employee of the City of Troy.

Although certain Commission records pertaining to each complaint are available to the public following a dismissal, the identity of the complainant will be kept confidential if you specify you are an employee or officer of the city or you specify in writing a detailed reason why you must remain anonymous.

In accordance with Ethics Commission procedures, the Commission will conduct a preliminary review of the complaint to determine whether the allegations fall within the jurisdiction of the Commission. The preliminary review is generally completed within thirty days of receiving the complaint. If the Commission determines that the allegations are not within the Commission's jurisdiction, the complaint will be dismissed and letters will be sent to the complainant and respondent explaining the reasons for the dismissal.

If the Commission determines that the allegations are within the Commission's jurisdiction, the Commission will authorize an inquiry or investigation. Neither the complainant nor the respondent is notified when an inquiry or investigation is authorized. Following the conclusion of the inquiry or investigation, the results of that inquiry or investigation are presented to the Commission, which will then determine whether the matter should be dismissed, referred to another agency, a settlement negotiated, advisory opinion or disciplinary recommendation to respondents immediate reporting authority, or submitted for a probable cause hearing. If the Commission decides to dismiss the matter, both the complainant and respondent will be notified.

When there is an emergency, lives are in danger, serious injury, serious medical condition, crime in progress, or any other situation needing immediate attention.

If you wish to remain anonymous or keep information confidential just tell the operator.

• Call 911 immediately.
• Be observant and make mental notes.
• Are there any weapons involved?
• What is the address?
• Any physical characteristics such as height, weight, race, beard, or scars?
• Any clothing description?
• How many people involved?
• Are the persons involved on foot or in a vehicle?

• Never say "nine eleven." There is no eleven on a telephone keypad or dial. Always say "nine-one-one."
• Always call from a safe place. If there is a fire in the house, get out first and then call.
• Post your address near the phone.
• Never call 911 as a prank or joke. You can get into trouble and keep someone who really needs help from getting it in time.
• 911 is not for animal emergencies. Leave the number for the vet next to the phone. If you need to reach the City's Dog Warden call 518-270-4640.
• Call 911 if you think you have an emergency and explain the situation to the dispatcher. If you call
• 911 by mistake, don't hang up. Explain the mistake to the dispatcher and say there is NO EMERGENCY.

In-Person
You may obtain a copy of your police report by stopping by the Troy Police Department at 55 State Street, Troy, NY.  The report can be picked up at the Police Desk (front desk) at anytime including nights and weekends. The Police Desk is open 24 hours 7 days a week. You must show a valid Driver License or other government issued photo ID. The Police report may take up to 48 hours before it is available for pickup.

Email

1. Complete and sign the Request Copy of Police Report Form.  
2. Attach the form and a copy of your Driver License or other government issued photo ID.
3. Include your First Name, Last Name and the words Request Copy of Police Report in the subject line.
4. Email form to the Troy Police Records Division

Mail 

1. Print, complete and sign the Request Copy of Police Report Form.
2. Mail the form with a COPY of your Driver License or other government issued photo ID and a self addressed envelope to the following address:
   Troy Police Department
   Attention: Records Division
   55 State Street
   Troy, NY 12180

Fee
There is no charge for the report. It's FREE

Request Records Not Your Own
The City of Troy requires that you submit a FOIL Request for records that are not your own.

Contact Us
If you wish to contact the Records Division you may leave a voicemail message at 518-270-4654. Messages are checked through out the business week. For voicemail messages requiring a response, please leave your name and a phone number that you can be reached at. 

Please note that record requests can only be made in person, by mail or by email.

In-Person
You may obtain a copy of your own local criminal record by stopping by the Troy Police Department at 55 State Street, Troy, NY. A copy of your criminal record can only be picked up on a Monday or Friday between the hours of 9:00 am and 11:00 am. You must show a valid Driver License or other government issued photo ID.

Email

1. Complete and sign the Local Criminal Record Request Form.  
2. Attach a copy of your Driver License or other government issued photo ID to the email.
3. Include your First Name, Last Name and the words Request Copy of Local Criminal Record in the subject line.
4. Email request to the Troy Police Records Division

Mail

1. Print, complete and sign the Local Criminal Record Request Form.    
2. Mail the form with a COPY of your Driver License or other government issued photo ID and a self addressed envelope to the following address:
   Troy Police Department
   Attention: Records Division
   55 State Street
   Troy, NY 12180

Fee
There is no charge for a copy of your local Criminal Record. It's FREE.

Contact Us
If you wish to contact the Records Division you may leave a voicemail message at 518-270-4654. Messages are checked through out the business week. For voicemail messages requiring a response, please leave your name and a phone number that you can be reached at. 

Please not that record requests can only be made in person, by mail or by email.

In-Person
You may obtain a copy of a police clearance letter by stopping by the Troy Police Department at 55 State Street, Troy, NY. A Police Clearance Letter can only be picked up on a Monday or Friday between the hours of 9:00 am and 11:00 am. You must show a valid Driver License or other government issued photo ID..

Email

1. Attach a copy of your Driver License or other government issued photo ID to the email.
2. Include your First Name, Last Name and the words Request Police Clearance Letter in the subject line.
3. Email the request to Troy Police Records Division

Mail

1. Include your name in the request.  
2. Mail your request with a COPY of your Driver License or other government issued photo ID and a self addressed envelope to the following address:
   Troy Police Department
   Attention: Records Division
   55 State Street
   Troy, NY 12180

Fee
There is no charge for a Police Clearance Letter. It's FREE.

Contact Us
If you wish to contact the Records Division you may leave a voicemail message at 518-270-4654. Messages are checked through out the business week. For voicemail messages requiring a response, please leave your name and a phone number that you can be reached at. 

Please note that record requests can only be made in person, by mail or by email.

Phone
If you wish to contact the Records Division you may leave a voicemail message at 518-270-4654. Messages are checked through out the business week. For voicemail messages requiring a response, please leave your name and a phone number that you can be reached at. 

Please note that record requests can only be made in person, by mail or by email.

Email
You can email the Troy Police Records Division  

Mail 
Troy Police Department
Attention: Records Division
55 State Street
Troy, NY 12180