Dothan Police Department: Address, Phone Number, Division, County

The Dothan Police Department (DPD) is the municipal law-enforcement agency serving the City of Dothan, Alabama. The department provides emergency response, patrol, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, school policing, crime-scene services, animal services, community programs and specialized tactical operations. DPD states that it has served the city since 1904 and maintains professional accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

For an emergency involving an immediate threat to life or safety, call 911. For police assistance that is not an emergency, call 334-793-0215. The department also publishes 334-615-3000 as its main telephone number. Patrol and communications functions continue around the clock, while administrative and front-desk services follow regular business hours.

DPD is currently led by Chief of Police William E. Benny. The current command staff also includes Police Major Will Glover and bureau commanders for Patrol Services, Criminal Investigations, Administrative Services and Special Operations.

Dothan Police Department Quick Information

The public-facing police facility lists regular administrative hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Emergency response, patrol and police communications are not limited to those office hours.

Dothan Police Department Address

The main police facility is:

• 210 N. Saint Andrews Street, Dothan, Alabama 36303
• Non-emergency: 334-793-0215
• Main number: 334-615-3000

The headquarters houses or supports the department’s main administrative, records, investigative, patrol-support and public-service functions. Residents may go to the police building for matters that require in-person assistance during normal business hours.

Common reasons to contact or visit the department include:

• Filing an incident report or speaking with the duty officer
• Requesting a copy of a police or crash report
• Asking about an existing police case
• Providing information to investigators
• Seeking information about an arrest or city-jail status
• Submitting a commendation or complaint regarding an employee
• Asking about community-policing or crime-prevention programs

People who need an officer sent to an incident location should call police dispatch rather than relying on an administrative office visit. If injuries, violence, fire, an armed person or another immediate danger is involved, use 911.

Dothan Police Department Organization

DPD is organized into four main bureaus, each commanded by a police captain:

1. Administrative Services Bureau
2. Investigative Services Bureau
3. Patrol Services Bureau
4. Special Operations Bureau

The four-bureau structure separates routine field response, criminal investigation, administrative support and specialized training or tactical functions. The current command-staff page identifies Police Major Will Glover as part of the department’s executive leadership.

Patrol Services Bureau

The Patrol Services Bureau is responsible for the department’s primary field-policing and communications functions. It includes the Communications Center and the regular patrol squads that respond to calls throughout the city.

Patrol Services includes or oversees:

• Four patrol squads
• Police Communications Center
• Traffic Division
• Police K-9 Unit
• School Resource Officers
• School Protection Program
• School crossing guards

Patrol officers are generally the first DPD personnel to respond to emergency calls, disturbances, suspicious activity, vehicle crashes and many reported crimes. They secure scenes, assist victims, make arrests when appropriate, prepare reports and refer cases that need extended follow-up to investigators.

The non-emergency communications number is 334-793-0215. The department’s main number, 334-615-3000, is also widely used for police contact and appears in current department releases.

Investigative Services Bureau

The Investigative Services Bureau handles criminal cases that require more extensive follow-up than the initial patrol response. The bureau includes the Criminal Investigations Division, Vice functions, the Crime Scene Investigative Unit and the department’s evidence-vault operation.

Investigative responsibilities include cases involving:

• Violent crime
• Juvenile crime
• Property crime
• Drug investigations
• Prostitution-related investigations
• Illegal gambling investigations
• Crime-scene processing and forensic evidence
• Evidence collection and storage

The current Criminal Investigations commander is Capt. Jason Penn, whose command-office number is 334-615-3603. Recent DPD releases also show investigators working jointly with patrol officers, vice/gun personnel, crime-scene staff and outside law-enforcement agencies on major cases.

An initial report is important because it creates the case record used for investigative follow-up. People with additional information about an existing investigation should provide the case number when available so the information can be connected to the correct file.

Administrative Services Bureau

The Administrative Services Bureau manages many of the support functions that keep the police department operating and provide direct public service at headquarters.

DPD lists the following functions under Administrative Services:

• CALEA accreditation
• Technical services
• City jail
• Records Division
• Court bailiff functions
• Ordinance compliance
• Animal services
• Front-desk operations

The current Administrative Services commander is Capt. Lynn Watkins at 334-615-3604. Because several of these services are administrative rather than emergency functions, residents should expect limited business hours for records pickup, front-desk transactions and similar matters.

Special Operations Bureau

The Special Operations Bureau oversees training, community-oriented programs and specialized police capabilities. DPD identifies the Community Service Division, Wiregrass Law Enforcement Academy and Training Division as components of this bureau.

Specialized teams under the bureau include:

• Special Response Team
• Rapid Response Team
• Bomb Explosive Disposal team
• Other special-service units assigned according to operational needs

The current Special Operations commander is Capt. Rachel David at 334-615-3610. These units support the department in situations requiring advanced equipment, specialized training or coordinated tactical response beyond routine patrol.

Community Services and Crime Prevention

DPD’s Community Service Division operates programs intended to improve communication between officers and residents and to prevent crime before enforcement becomes necessary. The department describes community involvement as a central part of effective policing.

Community programs promoted by the department include:

• Coffee with a Cop
• Community Watch
• Junior Police Academy
• Rape Aggression Defense programs
• Public-safety education and outreach

Community Services Division: 334-793-0230

Residents can use these programs to obtain safety information, organize neighborhood participation and interact with officers outside an enforcement setting.

What County Is Dothan Police Department In?

The Dothan Police Department headquarters is in Houston County, Alabama, and Dothan is the county seat of Houston County. However, the municipal boundaries of Dothan also extend into portions of Dale County and Henry County. This is why some city residents may deal with different county offices for county-level matters even though municipal police services are provided by DPD inside the City of Dothan.

For most DPD arrest and custody questions, Houston County is especially important because recent department arrest releases frequently state that arrested suspects are booked into the Houston County Jail.

Filing a Dothan Police Report

There are several ways to initiate a Dothan police report, depending on the type and urgency of the incident.

For a crime or event that requires an officer to respond, call the Dothan Police Department Communications Center. The city’s police FAQ identifies 334-615-3000 for dispatching an officer, while the department’s dedicated contact page lists 334-793-0215 as the non-emergency number. Either way, 911 should be used when there is an immediate emergency.

Residents can also file an incident report in person at the Dothan Criminal Justice Building at 210 N. Saint Andrews Street during regular weekday business hours. The city identifies a Duty Officer contact at 334-615-3681 for in-person reporting assistance.

DPD also provides online crime reporting for qualifying minor offenses. Online reporting should not be used when:

• Someone is in immediate danger
• A suspect is still at or near the scene
• A serious injury has occurred
• A firearm or other immediate threat is involved
• An officer needs to collect physical evidence or inspect the scene

For those situations, call dispatch or 911 as appropriate. A police case number should be retained because it is often needed for follow-up, report requests, warrant procedures and insurance claims.

Obtaining a Dothan Police Report

The Dothan Police Department Records Division provides copies of police and crash reports that are available for public release. The city’s police FAQ lists the Records Division at:

Dothan Police Department Records Division: 334-615-4650

The Records Division is located inside the police department at 210 N. Saint Andrews Street. When requesting a report, it helps to provide:

• Police case number
• Date of the incident or crash
• Approximate time
• Location of the incident
• Names of people involved
• Type of report being requested

Not every record is immediately releasable. Information connected with an active investigation, juvenile matter or other legally protected material may be withheld or redacted according to applicable law and department policy.

Crash Reports and Records Requests

DPD allows crash reports to be obtained online or in person. For an in-person request, residents can go to the Records Division at police headquarters. The department currently states that crash reports cost $15 each and asks requesters to provide the case number shown on the slip issued by the investigating officer.

The city also provides written public-record request procedures for city records. A request should be specific enough to identify the documents sought. Processing time can vary depending on the type of record, whether review or redaction is required and whether the material is maintained by the police department or another city office.

Property and Evidence

The Dothan Police Department places its crime-scene investigative unit and evidence vault within the Investigative Services Bureau. Property or evidence connected to a criminal case may remain in police custody while the investigation, prosecution or court process is active.

Items held by police may include:

• Crime-scene evidence
• Recovered stolen property
• Firearms or other seized items
• Electronic devices
• Property held as part of an investigation

A person seeking the return of property should contact DPD first and be prepared to provide identification, the police case number and proof of ownership when applicable. Release may require authorization from an investigator, prosecutor or court depending on the status of the case.

Crime Stoppers and Anonymous Tips

People who want to provide information about criminal activity without identifying themselves can use Crime Stoppers. Current 2026 DPD releases direct anonymous tipsters to Central Alabama CrimeStoppers at 334-215-STOP and also reference the P3 Tips system for online anonymous tips.

Anonymous tip services are intended for information that can assist investigators. They are not substitutes for emergency dispatch. If a crime is happening now or someone is in danger, call 911 or DPD directly.

Complaints About Dothan Police Employees

The Dothan Police Department accepts both commendations and complaints concerning employee performance. A citizen may submit a comment in several ways:

• Use the department’s online commendation/complaint form
• Meet with the Duty Officer at the police department during regular business hours
• Mail a written letter describing the incident and providing return contact information
• Call 334-793-0215 and request that an on-duty supervisor return the call

The department’s mailing address for written correspondence is 210 N. Saint Andrews Street, Dothan, AL 36303. A useful complaint should include as much factual information as possible, such as the date, time, location, employee name or description, vehicle information, case number and names of witnesses.

Damage claims against the police department are handled through the City of Dothan Clerk’s Office rather than through the ordinary employee-complaint process.

Dothan City Jail and Houston County Jail Information

DPD’s organizational information continues to list a city-jail function under the Administrative Services Bureau. The department publishes the following city-jail contact:

Dothan City Jail: 334-615-4630

The City of Dothan police FAQ separately lists the Docket Division at 334-615-4635 for questions about whether someone has been arrested and is in the city jail.

Recent Dothan Police Department arrest releases frequently state that arrested persons are booked into the Houston County Jail. Once a person is in county custody, inmate-location, visitation, telephone and other detention questions should be directed to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.

Houston County Sheriff’s Office / Jail location: 411 N. Foster Street, Dothan, AL 36303

Houston County Jail telephone: 334-712-0762

The Sheriff’s Office website also provides an inmate-listing service. Because custody can change after booking, callers should verify the person’s current location before visiting or attempting to arrange inmate services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Dothan Police non-emergency number?

A: Call 334-793-0215 for police assistance that does not involve an immediate emergency. The department also uses 334-615-3000 as its main police contact number. Call 911 for emergencies.

Q: Who is the current Dothan Police chief?

A: William E. Benny is the current Chief of Police of the Dothan Police Department. His office number is 334-615-3601.

Q: Can I file a Dothan police report online?

A: Yes. DPD provides online crime reporting for qualifying minor offenses. Incidents involving immediate danger, serious injury, an active suspect or evidence that requires an officer should be reported directly to police instead.

Q: How do I get a copy of a Dothan police or crash report?

A: Contact the Dothan Police Department Records Division at 334-615-4650. Crash reports may also be requested online or in person, and DPD currently lists a $15 fee for crash-report copies.

Q: Does Dothan Police operate the Houston County Jail?

A: No. DPD maintains a city-jail function, but the Houston County Jail is operated by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office. Recent DPD arrest releases often identify the Houston County Jail as the booking location for arrested suspects.