Albany police outline tech‑first strategy, report higher gun recoveries; drone purchase pending budget approval

Chief Johnson and Major Victor Camp of the Albany Police Department presented crime trends, investigative outcomes and a technology plan on June 3, telling the commission the department plans to expand camera integration, license‑plate readers and a drone program while pursuing additional civilian positions for real‑time monitoring.

The presentation covered January through April statistics and operational updates. Chief Johnson reported monthly total crime reports ranging from 561 in February to 665 in April and said clearance rates for investigative cases were “consistently strong,” including homicides investigated with arrests in several cases. He described the Raven gunshot detection activations and said Raven activations fell 36% between January and April. Chief Johnson also said the department is preparing to deploy 24 new license‑plate readers funded through a 2022 JAG grant to address identified coverage gaps.

Major Victor Camp and the Special Investigative Unit provided unit‑level outcomes. Major Camp said that after a staffing shortage last year the unit now has a full complement and that investigative activity has increased: the unit seized 107 guns during the prior year while understaffed and had recovered 60 handguns in the January‑to‑May span this year. Major Camp said many of the gun cases are being adopted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office under Project Safe Neighborhood when they meet federal criteria.

Technology, staffing and the drone proposal Chief Johnson described a technology strategy that blends sworn officers with civilian operators and non‑sworn personnel. On drones he told the commission the capability is intended as a “first responder” tool: “That drone can get to a scene way quicker than a police officer could unless the police officer's standing right outside the door,” he said, adding that operators need not be sworn officers and that the drone could be used to clear certain calls without sending an officer.

Johnson framed the approach as a force multiplier: “I can't put a police officer on every corner, but I can just about put cameras on every corner,” he said. He also said some technology purchases, including drones and body‑camera upgrades, remained contingent on budget approval.

Recruitment and training The department reported progress on recruitment and training: 12 new hires in March were scheduled to begin the academy in July; an academy cycle is now 20 weeks, limiting the number of classes per year. The chief said the department is expanding civilian roles — community safety officers and civilian investigators — to free sworn officers for field duties. He noted a strong applicant pool for civilian crime‑scene technician positions and said the department planned to hire more non‑sworn staff to operate LPRs and a proposed real‑time information center.

Community response and balance of tools Commissioners and residents said they want more visible patrol officers as well as technology. Commissioner Diana Brown said technology cannot replace people: “We need more polices for our tax dollars,” she said. Chief Johnson responded that recruitment and retention are ongoing challenges and repeated a call for community referrals to the department’s recruiting efforts.

Major Camp emphasized training and investigative capacity, noting a roster increase and an expanded case count this year compared with 2023. Both presenters asked the commission to consider continued investment in technology and staffing to maintain a modern, data‑informed policing model.

Outcome and next steps No procurement was finalized at the meeting; Chief Johnson identified the drone program as “on hold pending FY approval.” The commission asked staff to supply budget details and implementation plans for the proposed technology purchases and the department’s civilian‑led monitoring center.