By Amelia Anderson The Boise Police Department, commonly known as BPD, is the municipal law-enforcement agency serving Boise, Idaho. The department responds to emergency and non-emergency calls, investigates crimes, enforces traffic laws and provides specialised services involving violent crime, property crime, fraud, narcotics, K-9 operations, traffic enforcement, behavioral-health response and community policing.
BPD has nearly 400 employees, including about 300 sworn police officers and roughly 100 civilian staff members. The department is led by Chief Chris Dennison and provides police services throughout Boise city limits.
Residents should call 911 for emergencies or crimes in progress. The Boise-area non-emergency dispatch number is 208-377-6790.
Boise Police Department Quick Information
| Information | Details |
| Official name | Boise Police Department |
| Common abbreviation | BPD |
| Police chief | Chris Dennison |
| Headquarters | Boise City Hall West |
| Headquarters address | 333 N. Mark Stall Place, Boise, ID 83704 |
| Main department number | 208-570-6000 |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| Non-emergency dispatch | 208-377-6790 |
| Approximate sworn officers | 300 |
| Approximate total employees | Nearly 400 |
| Major divisions | Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Community Outreach, Training, Administrative, Professional Standards |
| County | Ada County |
| Ada County Jail | 7200 Barrister, Boise, ID 83704 |
| Jail information | 208-577-3000 |
Boise Police Department Address
Boise Police Department headquarters is located at: Boise City Hall West 333 N. Mark Stall Place Boise, Idaho 83704
The main department telephone number is: 208-570-6000
For a police response that is not an emergency, call: 208-377-6790
Call 911 when a crime is happening, someone is in immediate danger, a serious injury has occurred, a weapon is involved or urgent police, fire or medical assistance is needed.
Important Boise Police Phone Numbers
| Police service | Phone number |
| Emergency assistance | 911 |
| Non-emergency police dispatch | 208-377-6790 |
| Boise Police main number | 208-570-6000 |
| Crime Prevention | 208-570-6071 |
| Crime Stoppers | 208-343-COPS / 208-343-2677 |
| Ada County Jail information | 208-577-3000 |
The main office number is appropriate for administrative questions. New incidents requiring an officer should normally be reported through 911 or non-emergency dispatch.
Boise Police Patrol Areas and Reporting Districts
Boise Police uses geographic police areas and smaller reporting districts to organise patrol resources and track calls for service, crimes and traffic incidents. Reporting districts are the smallest territorial units and generally cover a limited group of city blocks.
Residents do not need to know their police area or reporting district before requesting help. Dispatchers use the incident location to send the appropriate available unit.
BPD also assigns Neighborhood Contact Officers who work with residents on longer-term safety concerns. These officers focus on recurring neighborhood problems rather than replacing emergency or routine dispatch services.
Boise Police Department Divisions
Current command functions include the Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations Division, Community Outreach Division, Training Division, Administrative Division and Professional Standards Division.
These divisions combine uniformed response, investigations, community programs, specialist police services, training, records, administration and internal accountability.
Patrol Division
The Patrol Division contains a large portion of Boise’s uniformed officers. Patrol officers respond to emergency calls, non-emergency calls and officer-observed incidents throughout the city.
Typical duties include:
- Responding to 911 calls
- Conducting preliminary criminal investigations
- Handling disturbances and suspicious activity
- Making arrests
- Responding to property and violent crimes
- Traffic enforcement
- Welfare checks
- Neighborhood patrol
Patrol officers usually complete the initial report and collect immediately available information and evidence. Cases requiring extended investigation may be referred to detectives.
Criminal Investigations Division
The Criminal Investigations Division handles cases requiring specialised or continuing investigation. Its major units include Violent Crimes, Property Crimes, Financial Crimes, Criminal Intelligence, Narcotics, Special Victims, Crimes Against Children and Victim Services.
Violent Crimes investigates serious offences such as homicide, robbery, aggravated assault, kidnapping and certain missing-person cases. Property Crimes handles burglary, vehicle theft, major theft, arson and related felony property offences. Financial Crimes investigates serious fraud, forgery, counterfeit currency and financial-card offences.
The Special Victims Unit investigates sex crimes and child-abuse cases, while Victim Services personnel provide crisis support and assistance to crime victims.
Community Outreach and Specialty Units
The Community Outreach Division includes several specialised functions designed to combine enforcement with problem solving and community contact. Current assignments include the Traffic Unit, Bicycle Patrol, Neighborhood Contact Officers, School Resource Officers, Behavioral Health Response Team, liaison officers and police services at Boise Airport and Boise State University.
BPD also maintains specialist teams such as:
- K-9 Unit
- Bomb Squad
- Special Operations Unit
- Crisis Negotiation Team
- Motor Patrol
- Mobile Field Force
- Airport Police
- DUI Night STEP
The Behavioral Health Response Team works with police personnel and community partners to improve responses involving people experiencing mental-health crises.
What County Is Boise Police Department In?
Boise is located in Ada County, Idaho.
The Boise Police Department provides municipal police services inside Boise city limits. The Ada County Sheriff’s Office is a separate agency responsible for county functions including the Ada County Jail, countywide emergency communications and law enforcement in areas under its jurisdiction.
Other nearby cities such as Meridian, Garden City and Kuna have different law-enforcement arrangements. The exact location of an incident determines which agency has primary jurisdiction.
How to File a Boise Police Report Online
Boise Police provides an online reporting system for qualifying non-emergency incidents.
Online reports may be used for offences such as:
- Theft
- Identity theft
- Vandalism
- Vehicle break-ins
- Lost property
- Harassing phone calls
- Certain hit-and-run incidents
- Fraudulent use of credit or debit cards
To qualify, the incident must not be an emergency, it must have occurred within Boise city limits and there must be no known suspect.
After submission, the report is reviewed. An approved report receives a permanent case number. If immediate assistance is required, call 911 or 208-377-6790 instead.
Boise Police Records
Police records and public-record requests are handled through Boise Police and the City of Boise public-records process. A requester should provide as much identifying information as possible, including the case number, incident date, location and names of involved people when available.
Some records may be withheld or redacted when disclosure is restricted by Idaho law or when an investigation remains active.
Boise Police and Ada County Jail
Boise Police officers make arrests, but BPD does not operate the county jail. People arrested by Boise officers may be booked into the Ada County Jail, which is operated by the Ada County Sheriff’s Office.
The main jail campus is located at: Ada County Jail 7200 Barrister Boise, Idaho 83704
Jail and inmate information is available at: 208-577-3000
Ada County also provides an online inmate roster. Because booking and release information can change quickly, current custody status should be confirmed directly with the jail when necessary.
Complaints and Commendations
Boise Police accepts complaints and commendations regarding department employees. The Professional Standards Division includes the Office of Internal Affairs, along with policy development and personnel functions.
A useful complaint should include the date, time and location of the incident, the officer’s name or badge number when known, the police case number, witness information and a clear description of what occurred. Supporting photographs or recordings may also be relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Boise Police non-emergency number?
A: The Boise Police non-emergency dispatch number is 208-377-6790. Call 911 for emergencies or crimes currently in progress.
Q: Where is Boise Police Department headquarters?
A: Boise Police Department is headquartered at Boise City Hall West, 333 N. Mark Stall Place, Boise, Idaho 83704.
Q: Can I file a Boise police report online?
A: Yes. Qualifying non-emergency incidents can be reported online when they occurred within Boise city limits and there is no known suspect.
Q: What county is Boise Police Department in?
A: Boise is in Ada County, Idaho. Boise Police serves the city, while the Ada County Sheriff’s Office performs separate county-level law-enforcement and jail functions.
Q: Does Boise Police operate the Ada County Jail?
A: No. The Ada County Jail is operated by the Ada County Sheriff’s Office. Jail information is available at 208-577-3000.