Police
The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department consists of more than 100 sworn members and approximately 35 civilians, which include 13 dispatchers. The department is divided into specific sections: The Command Administration, Support Services/Training and Development, Evidence, Detectives and Juvenile Divisions, Patrol Divisions, Neighborhood Recovery Unit, Community Policing/ Crime Analysis, Main Street and Traffic, Parking Enforcement, Records Sections, Animal Control and is part of the Dutchess County Drug Task Force. The department also has two K-9 Officers and an Emergency Services Unit.

The Patrol Division consists of nine Squads assigned to permanent eight hour shifts beginning at midnight. At the beginning of each shift the officers in the Squad are assigned to a post by his/her supervisor. They then patrol their post and are sent on calls by the dispatcher as requests are made for officer assistance. The Community Policing Unit patrols are assigned to a permanent "Beat".

The Command Staff consists of the Police Chief, Deputy Police Chief and a Police Captain. 

CITIZEN OBSERVER ALERT NETWORK

The Citizen Observer Alert Network allows the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department to instantly update you about crimes, emergencies and other important information.

All Alerts are delivered via e-mail and are also available via text message on your cell phone.

• Citizen Alerts inform all registered users of public safety concerns in your area. The Alerts contain information about crime trends, descriptions of suspects, missing persons, as well as advice on personal safety, and how to safeguard property.
• Business Alerts are targeted to specific business types, so your business will receive information about crimes that are pertinent to your business type.
• Case Alerts allow law enforcement to automatically disseminate information about open cases to all registered Citizen Observer users.
• Watch Group Alerts allow law enforcement to send targeted alerts to specific neighborhoods with information about crimes that are happening in their immediate area.

Help create a stronger community by signing up to receive Citizen, Business, and Neighborhood alerts. You’ll get information directly from your local law enforcement agency that impacts your community.

Sign up today. It’s easy!!

1. Go to the Sign-Up page
2. Fill out the form
3. Spread the word and invite your neighbors to join

Please note that CitizenObserver is a secure website and protects your privacy. For more details, please review the CitizenObserver privacy policy.

CPPD HISTORY

On March 28th, 1854, Poughkeepsie was chartered as a City. At that time there were approximately 10,000 residents and the City was divided into four wards each represented by two aldermen. The aldermen would choose who would serve as officers in City Government. The first officers were John Winslow who was City Marshall along with James Sparks and William Graham who were Police Officers. In 1883, the Board of Police Commissioners was formed and assumed day to day operations of the police department. Today the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department has expanded considerably

Contact Information
In case of Emergency, dial 911
Other calls for police services: (845) 451-4000

Administration
Ronald J. Knapp, Chief of Police, 845-451-4132
Thomas J. Ghee, Deputy Police Chief, 845-451-4132
Steven W. Minard, Police Captain, 845-451-4132