Administrative Services Division

The Administrative Services Division includes several units which provide support to the day to day police operations.


Animal Control

The Animal Control subdivision duties include seizure control, impoundment, investigations of barking dog complaints, removing sick or injured animals, investigation of animal bites, removing dead dogs and cats from highways, occasional trapping of wildlife found in homes, transporting possible rabid animals for testing, and investigating cruelty complaints.

Purpose and Philosophy

The purpose of the Colonie Animal Control is to enforce the state and local laws in relation to dogs and other animals. The intention is to promote health, safety, and general welfare of the people of the Town of Colonie, including protection of the property of the Town and its inhabitants, and preservation of peace and good order within the Town. Specifically, we implement the provisions of Article 7, New York State Agriculture and Markets Law and Chapter 79 of the Town of Colonie Code.

Our philosophy is to remove animals in a safe and humane manner. We deal with the public by explaining the local and state laws to them before actual enforcement becomes necessary.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties of Colonie Animal Control Officers include seizure control, impoundment, investigations of barking dog complaints, removing sick or injured animals, investigation of animal bites, removing dead dogs and cats from highways, occasional trapping of wildlife found in homes, transporting possible rabid animals for testing, and investigating cruelty complaints.

Responsibilities include: to serve any process related to criminal or civil proceedings including appearance tickets, impounding dogs found at large at Latham Animal Hospital or the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society and notifying the owner of its whereabouts, transporting stray dogs and cats to veterinarians for immediate medical treatment if necessary.

Rabies is now found throughout the Capital Region causing alarm for residents of the Town. When animal bites are reported to this office, officers contact all persons involved including the animal's veterinarian, the person bitten, and the Albany County Health Department.

Wildlife can sometimes find their way into residences. Certain wildlife can be easily removed while some others may require a trap to be set. The animal and trap are removed when the animal is caught.

FAQs

For Frequently Asked Questions regarding Animal Control, click here.

Communications

Communications is responsible for all public safety communications in the Town of Colonie. Communications receives requests and information that must be processed and prioritized, then dispatch Police, Fire and Emergency Medical units via a computer aided dispatch system. Utilizing a Motorola Astro 25 Digital Radio System, the Town of Colonie has one of the most advanced two-way public safety and public service radio systems in the area.

The Communications Division is one of six E-911 answering points in Albany County answering both land line and wireless 911 calls for service as well as several other administrative lines.

Community Services Unit

The Colonie Police Department Community Services Unit works closely with citizens and businesses of the Town providing information about personal safety, security of property and methods to reduce criminal activities.

Members of this unit assist neighborhood groups by facilitating neighborhood watch programs, conducting crime prevention security surveys, attending neighborhood gatherings or meetings and addressing any specific neighborhood crime prevention needs.

Safety Resources:

Children:

For more information, please contact the Community Services Unit at 782-2662.

Training

The Training Unit staff includes three police officers and one sergeant on a full-time basis. This unit develops, implements and evaluates mandated in-service training as well as providing selective topical training.