The Board is an independent body established by the City of Albany in 2000 to improve communication between the police department and the community, increase police accountability and credibility with the public, and create a complaint review process that is free from bias and informed by actual police practice.
In addition to its authority to review and comment on completed investigations of complaints of alleged misconduct made by community members against officers of the Albany Police Department, the nine-member Board may conduct independent investigations into alleged police misconduct, make recommendations to the Common Council and the Mayor regarding police policies and practices relevant to the goals of community policing and the exercise of discretionary authority by police officers. The Mayor and the Common Council appoint the board members. In a unique arrangement, the Government Law Center at Albany Law School (GLC) provides substantial support services to assist the Board in its duties and responsibilities.