Watervliet Police Department

The Watervliet Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency providing the highest level of services to the residents of the City of Watervliet.

Proudly Serving Since 1870

The Watervliet Police Department is a full service law enforcement agency serving the City of Watervliet, New York. The department’s executive team is lead by a Chief of Police and a Lieutenant. Patrol sergeants and detective sergeants serve as the department’s first-line supervisors and all share responsibility in a myriad of cross-functional duties. Several police officers, including detectives, field intelligence officers, public information officers, evidence technicians, animal control officers, and a traffic-safety officer round out the department’s sworn-staff. Non-sworn members consist of a confidential assistant, crossing guards and traffic light engineers. The department is separated into three core divisions; Operations (Patrol), Criminal Investigations Unit, and Administration.

Operations Division

The Operations Division, or patrol, is broken into three tours of duty; First Platoon (12 A.M. to 8 A.M.), Second Platoon (8 A.M. to 4 P.M.) and Third Platoon (4 P.M. to 12 A.M.). Patrol officers are deployed on foot, bicycle and in mobile patrols serving those who live, work and visit Watervliet. Officers assigned to the division serve as the department’s work-horse, handling thousands of calls for service every year. In between responding to calls and proactively patrolling, member’s can also be seen engaging in “Park, Walk, Talk” foot-patrols in and around the neighborhoods of Watervliet.

Criminal Investigations unit

The Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) is responsible for investigating property crimes, violent offenses, sex crimes, narcotics, domestic violence and financial crimes. CIU members also serve as task force officers with our federal law enforcement partners, such as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Additionally, the unit contains a police officer who is cross trained as a Field Intelligence Officer (FIO). The FIO’s responsibility is to monitor crime trends, assist in compiling and analyzing data-driven policing reports, forwarding safety alerts to department members, and serving as a liaison to state and local intelligence centers. The CIU also oversees the department’s evidence technicians, who are certified to photograph, collect, preserve, and process evidence.

Administration Division

The Administration Division contains the Training Unit, District Attorney/Discovery liaison sergeant, and Policy Review Committee. The confidential assistant to the Chief of Police is responsible for records management, purchasing and payroll functions.

Contact us

  • 2 15th Street Watervliet, NY12189
  • Officeofthechief@watervliet.com
  • (518)270-3833