Albany police outline technology push, staffing needs; drone purchase held pending budget approval

The Albany Police Department told the City Commission on June 3 that it is pursuing a technology-first approach to stretch a limited number of sworn officers while continuing recruitment and training efforts.

Chief Percy, Albany Police Department, told commissioners that monthly crime reports ranged from 561 in February to 665 in April and that the department ‘‘cleared 89% of investigative cases that we responded to in February.’’ He said homicide cases from February through April remain under active investigation, with some cleared by arrest.

The department described several technology investments. Chief Percy said Raven, the city’s gunshot‑detection system, registered a high of 306 activations in January and 194 in April, a ‘‘36% decline since January.’’ He said the department is preparing to deploy 24 new license‑plate readers (LPRs) funded by a 2022 JAG grant pending final approval, and that LPR and camera integrations have already helped resolve stolen‑vehicle and homicide investigations.

On drones, Chief Percy said the proposed program is ‘‘on hold pending FY approval’’ but argued operators who are not sworn officers could launch aerial devices to reach scenes faster and act as ‘‘a force multiplier’’ for officers. ‘‘I can’t put a police officer on every corner, but I can just about put cameras on every corner,’’ he said, describing drone use as a way to ‘‘relay information to the officers who are responding.’’

Major Victor Camp, who presented the Albany–Dougherty Special Investigative Unit (SIU) update, said the merged unit—combining the county gang task force and the county drug unit in January 2024—now operates with a full staff of roughly 22 sworn and non‑sworn members (22 on duty, 2 assigned to GBI). Camp said the unit seized 107 guns last year while short staffed, and recovered 60 handguns between January and May 2025, including weapons modified with switches that make them fully automatic.

Chief Percy and Major Camp both emphasized recruitment and civilianization strategies. The department said it hired 12 people in March who will attend the academy in July; the police academy runs 20 weeks. The department reported 20 candidates tested the last weekend, with 13 passing, and set a goal to recruit enough candidates to send 20 to the next academy class. Chief Percy said the department is expanding community safety officer and civilian investigator roles to handle non‑sworn duties and free sworn officers for patrol and investigations.

The commission also voted to standardize meeting security screening. In a roll call on a motion to apply metal‑detector screening to all attendees, commissioners voted to require screening for everyone entering commission meetings; the vote passed.

The department requested continued capital and operating support for LPRs, evidence‑storage upgrades, and phased drone deployment, but said ‘‘drone as first responder’’ procurement and some body‑camera upgrades are contingent on future budget approvals. Chief Percy closed by urging ‘‘a balanced approach to enforcement, prevention, and engagement’’ and continued collaboration with schools and community organizations.

Ending: Commission discussion following the presentation emphasized hiring and retention as long‑term constraints even as commissioners expressed support for technology investments; several commissioners thanked the department for recruitment efforts and for bringing new officers through the academy.