Programs & Services

The Colonie Police Department provides programs that are geared toward community participation and activity.


Child Car Seat Fitting Station

New York State Occupant Restraint Law

Child Passenger Restraints Are Not An Option, They Are The Law!

Every child under age 16 in the vehicle must use a safety restraint. If under age four, he or she must be properly secured in a federally-approved child safety seat that is attached to a vehicle by a safety belt or universal child restraint anchorage (LATCH) system. Effective November 1, 2019, a child under the age of two must use a rear-facing car seat. A child under age four who weighs more than 40 pounds may be restrained in a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt. A child of age 4, 5, 6 or 7, must use a booster seat with lap and shoulder belt or a child safety seat (the child and safety restraint system must meet the height and weight recommendations of the restraint manufacturer).

Exception: A child more than 4’9” tall or more than 100 pounds is allowed to use a seat belt that has both a lap belt and a shoulder harness. To use the seat belt, the child must be able to sit straight up against the vehicle’s seat back with his or her knees bent comfortably over the edge of the seat. The lap belt should be placed low and tight across the upper thighs; the shoulder belt should rest tightly but comfortably across the child’s chest and shoulder (collar bone) without touching the throat. If the seat belt does not fit properly, the child should use a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt.

Recommendations
  • Check the label on your car seat to make sure it’s appropriate for your child’s age, weight and height. Double check the seat’s expiration date to ensure that it is still safe.
  • All children should ride in the back seat of the vehicle until they are 13 years old.
  • Children should be kept in a rear-facing car seat until at least age 2. When he or she outgrows the seat, move your child to a forward-facing car seat and make sure to attach the top tether after you tighten and lock the seat belt or lower attachments.
  • Once your car seat is installed, give it a good shake at the base. A properly installed seat will not move more than one inch side-to-side or front-to-back.
  • Make sure the harness is tightly buckled and the chest clip is placed at armpit level. Attempt to pinch at your child’s shoulder – You should not be able to pinch any excess strap.

Car seat law & recommendations

For more detailed safety recommendations.

Click here

Active Shooter Response

The Colonie Police Department provides training to schools, offices etc. on the proper response in the event of an active shooter event. To schedule such a training session, please contact Sgt. Anthony Sidoti at (518) 783-2744.

Holding Active Shooter Drills At Your Place of Business

In an effort to reduce confusion and preserve resources, please contact the Colonie Police Department at (518) 783-2744 if and when you decide to hold an active shooter drill and / or are testing systems.

Safety Resources

Project D.A.R.E.

In September of 1992 the Colonie Police Department in cooperation with the Town’s two school districts and representatives of various private and parochial schools inaugurated the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program. D.A.R.E. provides the children of our community with the skills needed to deal with the dangers of drug abuse, alcohol abuse and violence. It also provides them with the guidance they need to make the right decisions for their health and future. D.A.R.E. is targeted for school children in the fifth grade.

Annually, these officers present D.A.R.E. programs to approximately 1,500 students in the fifth grade and presentations and visitations to the kindergarten through fourth grade as well as sixth grade through eighth grade classrooms which enables the officers to interact with an additional 5,500 children. This interaction provides students with safety skills for use at both home and school. A high school program for the ninth through twelfth grades was developed to reduce the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs among our community’s high school students. Students discuss the risks and consequences of underage drinking, experience hands-on demonstrations using fatal vision goggles and the risks and consequences of drinking, driving and riding with intoxicated drivers. This program is presented to approximately 1,500 high school students in 55 classrooms.

In addition to the K-12 buildings, our officers also visit with many of our pre-kindergarten child care centers throughout the Town of Colonie talking with them about safety and letting them know that officers are their friends.

Annual D.A.R.E. Golf Tournament

The Annual D.A.R.E. Golf Tournament not only provides an enjoyable day of friendship at Schuyler Meadows Club but also serves as a great fundraiser for the D.A.R.E. Program as businesses in the community assume the role as sponsors.

For more information about the D.A.R.E. Program in Colonie, please contact the Community Services Office at 782-2662.


Cadet Post 185

Colonie Police Cadet Post 185 is a chartered organization of the Northeast Regional Law Enforcement Educational Association (NERLEEA) and is sponsored by the Colonie Police Department. It is comprised of young men and women who would like to learn more about a career in Law Enforcement. Like NERLEEA, the Colonie Police Department is committed to delivering exceptional education and opportunities to young individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in Law Enforcement. This new partnership will allow the cadets to gain a better understanding what a career in law enforcement entails, provide more opportunities to experience police work and give them the best chance of success at a future career in law enforcement.

The Post membership includes their own command structure with ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain and fall under the command of the police department. The Post meets twice each month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday. At these meetings, after regular business is discussed, training sessions are held, often by the same instructors used to teach law enforcement officers at the Police Academy.

Topics covered include Forensics, Arson Investigation, Firearms, Defensive Tactics, Computer Crime and Juvenile Law, as well as how to handle Domestic Calls, High Risk Traffic Stops and DWI checks. All cadets become fully certified in CPR and First Aid through the American Heart Association with re-certification every two years.

The Post also performs community service on a regular basis, last year totaling more than 1,800 hours at events such as the annual Youth Service Day, concerts at the Pruyn House, the Crossings Farmers Market, Town events, Special Olympics and many more.

It's not all work. The Post competes against other Police Posts at regular events called Stations Day, and also travels to Connecticut annually for a week-long Cadet Academy. We offer field trips such as to New York Police Department as well as hold fun team building events for the cadets.

Become a member

To become a member you must:

  • Be 13 years old.
  • Maintain an 80 average in school.
  • Be in good standing in your community.
  • Have a positive attitude.

For more information, you may call 783-2744 or contact us via email.

Ready to become a Colonie Police Cadet Post 185 member?

Download application

Med-Project Drop-Box

The Town of Colonie is proud to announce a partnership with Med-Project, as part of New York’s Drug Take Back Program. Med-Project has installed a drop-box for unwanted or expired medications. This drop-box is accessible 24/7 in the lobby of the Colonie Police Department, at 312 Wolf Road, and is free of charge.

Safe and secure disposal of medications is a better alternative than flushing into water systems, putting into household garbage, or leaving in your home where they could be accessible to others.

Click on the link below to learn more information about this program, including what medications can be deposited and what is prohibited.

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Youth Court

Youth Court is a voluntary alternative to the criminal justice system for young people who have committed a crime or an offense. The goal of Youth Court is to intervene in early anti-social, delinquent, and criminal behavior, and to reduce the incidence and prevent the escalation of such behavior. Youth Court strives to promote feelings of self esteem and a desire for self improvement, and to foster a healthy attitude towards rules and authority. Youth Court also offers a law-related education program for young people who seek to become members of the court.

Learn More