Government > Departments > Police > Patrol Division > Center Station

Center Station

Location

536 Western Avenue
Albany, NY  12203
Center Station Desk (518) 458-5660

Area

The Albany Police Department has two separate patrol stations, one of which is the Center Station.  Although officers are responsible for providing services throughout the entire City, the patrol stations geographic areas are defined.  The Center Station is divided into (10) patrol sectors.  The station covers the area from its eastern most boundaries, Delaware Avenue/Lark Street, to as far North, South, and West as the neighboring Towns of Bethlehem, Guilderland, and Colonie.

History

The Albany Police Center Station was originally known as the 6^th Precinct.  It was built in 1927-1928 when John Boyd Thacher II was the Mayor.  In 1952 some of the city’s Precincts were closed.  The 6^th Precinct remained opened, but was named Division 1 and continued as such for the next 46 years.  In 1998, after a reorganization of the department, the old 6^th was again renamed to Center Station, as it is still known today.  The Center Station today is home to 80 sworn officers and supervisors to include 2 community services officers and 3 civilian support staff.

Officers from the Center Station follow a long tradition of proudly serving the city and its people.  Officers from the “Old 6^th” continue to protect and serve city neighborhoods such as Pine Hills, West Hill, Center Square, Park South, and Washington Square to name a few.

Geographically located in the Center Station area, there are 3 of the 4 major hospitals, 2 public high schools, and 9 colleges, some of which include the State University of New York at Albany, the College of Saint Rose, Russell Sage, Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany Medical College, and Albany Law School.  The cultural diversity among our residents is reflective of Albany’s rich history.  It is also complemented by the influx of our student and other resident population.

Although the Center Station has been updated to accommodate society’s technological advances, it also retains much of its original look.  The red brick building has its original front doors with the 6^th Precinct logo and the city’s seal, “Assiduity”, which means diligent and dutifully, cast in brass as part of the handles.  The original plaque dedicating the 6^th Precinct adorns the wall of the desk officers work area.  The original cellblock area still exists, with 3 of the 4 cells still in working condition, however they have been turned into storage areas.

Whether it is named the 6^th Precinct, Division 1, or the Center Station, Albany Police Officers have been “turning out” around the clock on a daily basis, to serve the community for almost 80 years.