Albany Police Chief Hawkins exits after 40-year tenure | The Locally Times
Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins, appointed in September 2018, will depart in December, ending an eight-year tenure, the longest for an Albany chief in over four decades.
Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins will depart the Albany Police Department at the beginning of December to become Police Commissioner in Warren, Michigan. The City of Albany News Flash, dated 2026-02-11, announced the departure by Mayor Kathy Sheehan and the Albany Police Department. The headline's reference to a “40-year tenure” relates to the historical context of Albany police leadership, not Chief Hawkins’ personal service duration in Albany. The City of Albany News Flash, 2026-02-11, states Chief Hawkins was appointed Chief of the APD in September 2018. This indicates an approximately eight-year tenure as Albany’s Chief. The announcement also notes Chief Hawkins is the longest-serving Albany Police Chief in more than 40 years, highlighting a pattern of shorter tenures for previous chiefs over that period. ## Chief Hawkins' Eight-Year Impact on Albany Policing During his eight-year tenure, Chief Hawkins oversaw several initiatives and reforms within the Albany Police Department. The City of Albany News Flash, 2026-02-11, reports that the department addressed challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a decrease in shootings and an increase in illegal guns recovered. Chief Hawkins also led the implementation of policing reforms recommended by the City’s Policing Reform and Reinvention Collaborative. The department, under Chief Hawkins’ leadership, introduced several community-focused programs. These include Pastors on Patrol, Men on a Mission, and the NYS GIVE Initiative. The City of Albany News Flash, 2026-02-11, also credits him with the creation of New York State’s largest Crime Analysis Center, located within APD Headquarters. Additional programs instituted during his service include an internationally-recognized Therapy Dog Program and the Community Liaison Partnership, which allows city residents to help train police academy recruits. Chief Hawkins also established a paid Police Cadet Program and a Civilian Auxiliary Program. He implemented a program to integrate social workers into police operations. Furthermore, the City of Albany News Flash, 2026-02-11, indicates he oversaw significant infrastructure upgrades to police facilities, including the build-out of a new 911 dispatch center. Prior to his appointment in Albany, Chief Hawkins served as Chief of the Southfield, Michigan police department, a position he held since 2012. His academic background includes a Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Bachelor of Science in Police Administration. ## Leadership Stability and Future Direction for Albany Chief Hawkins' departure, following an eight-year tenure, marks a significant transition for the Albany Police Department. His designation as the longest-serving chief in over four decades suggests a historical pattern of leadership turnover within the department. The City of Albany News Flash, 2026-02-11, does not specify the exact reasons for his decision to leave Albany for the Police Commissioner role in Warren, Michigan, beyond a continuation of his career. Details regarding the process and timeline for selecting Chief Hawkins' successor are not publicly available in the announcement. The City of Albany News Flash, 2026-02-11, also does not provide information on the specific documented impacts of the policing reforms implemented during his tenure, nor does it detail the financial implications of this leadership change for the City of Albany. The absence of this information leaves open questions about the continuity of the department's initiatives and the long-term stability of its leadership. The transition comes as the City School District of Albany manages its 2025-26 budget, which includes a $342.4 million proposal with a 0.9% tax-levy increase, according to the City School District of Albany’s 2025-26 budget information. This budget reduces staff expenses through retirements and the elimination of vacant positions, accounting for the end of temporary federal COVID-19 relief funding for schools. The police department's leadership change occurs within this broader municipal financial context. The City of Albany News Flash, 2026-02-11, does not specify how the police department's staffing or budget will be affected by the chief's departure or the subsequent search for new leadership.