By Amelia Anderson The Oxford Police Department, commonly known as OPD, is the municipal law-enforcement agency serving Oxford, Alabama. The department responds to calls, investigates crimes, enforces traffic laws and provides patrol, investigative, K-9, traffic and emergency-response services.
OPD operates from its headquarters on Stanley Merrill Drive. Its public organizational structure includes the Administrative Division, Uniform Division and Criminal Investigations Division. Residents should call 911 for emergencies or crimes in progress. For general non-emergency police assistance, call 256-831-3121.
Oxford Police Department Quick Information
| Information | Details |
| Official name | Oxford Police Department |
| Common abbreviation | OPD |
| Headquarters address | 600 Stanley Merrill Drive, Oxford, AL 36203 |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| General / non-emergency | 256-831-3121 |
| Administration | 256-835-6108 |
| Investigations | 256-835-6136 |
| Animal Control | 256-591-4103 |
| Municipal Court | 256-835-6118 |
| Main divisions | Administrative, Uniform and Criminal Investigations |
| Specialty units | K-9, Emergency Services, Special Investigations, Traffic Homicide, Crisis Negotiations, Technology and Aviation Support |
| Primary county | Calhoun County |
| Additional city territory | Talladega County |
| Calhoun County Jail | 400 W. 8th Street, Anniston, AL 36201 |
| Jail information | 256-236-5561 / 256-241-8032 |
Oxford Police Department Address
Oxford Police Department headquarters is located at:
- 600 Stanley Merrill Drive, Oxford, Alabama 36203
The general non-emergency number is: 256-831-3121
The Administration Division can be contacted at: 256-835-6108
Call 911 when a crime is happening, someone is injured or in immediate danger, a weapon is involved, a serious traffic crash has occurred or urgent police, fire or medical assistance is required.
For delayed incidents, suspicious activity that does not present an immediate danger or other routine police matters, contact the department’s non-emergency number.
Important Oxford Police Phone Numbers
| Police service | Phone number |
| Emergency assistance | 911 |
| General / non-emergency | 256-831-3121 |
| Administration | 256-835-6108 |
| Criminal Investigations | 256-835-6136 |
| Animal Control | 256-591-4103 |
| Oxford Municipal Court | 256-835-6118 |
| Oxford 311 city services | 311 / 256-241-4311 |
| Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office | 256-236-6600 |
| Calhoun County Jail information | 256-236-5561 / 256-241-8032 |
New incidents requiring an officer should normally be reported through 911 or 256-831-3121.
Oxford Police Department Divisions
The department publicly identifies three main divisions:
- Administrative Division
- Uniform Division
- Criminal Investigations Division
The Uniform Division provides frontline police response and regular patrol services.
The Criminal Investigations Division handles cases requiring additional detective work after the initial police response.
Uniform Division and Patrol
Uniformed officers provide the department’s primary day-to-day police response. Officers patrol Oxford, respond to calls for service, enforce traffic and criminal laws and conduct preliminary investigations.
Typical patrol duties include:
- Responding to 911 calls
- Handling non-emergency calls
- Conducting preliminary criminal investigations
- Responding to disturbances and suspicious activity
- Handling violent and property crimes
- Making arrests
- Conducting welfare checks
- Enforcing traffic laws
- Responding to vehicle crashes
- Neighborhood and business patrol
The first responding officer generally documents the incident and gathers immediately available information or evidence. Cases that require additional follow-up may be referred to investigators.
Criminal Investigations Division
The Criminal Investigations Division is responsible for cases that require extended investigative work beyond the initial patrol response.
Investigators may work on offenses involving:
- Violent crime
- Burglary
- Major theft
- Fraud
- Narcotics
- Missing persons
- Vehicle-related crime
- Other felony investigations
Investigators may interview victims, witnesses and suspects, review records and video, collect evidence and work with prosecutors or other agencies.
The Investigations contact number is: 256-835-6136
People calling about an existing case should have the police report or case number available whenever possible.
Specialized Police Units
Oxford Police maintains several specialized units for incidents that require additional equipment, training or technical expertise.
Current specialty functions include:
- East Metro Area Crime Center
- Special Investigations Unit
- Emergency Services Unit
- Traffic Homicide Investigations
- K-9 Units
- Crisis Negotiations
- Technological Support Unit
- Aviation Support Unit
K-9, Emergency and Traffic Services
The K-9 function supports officers during searches, tracking and other police operations where trained police dogs can provide additional capabilities.
The Emergency Services Unit provides specialized support during high-risk incidents requiring tactical planning and equipment.
Traffic Homicide Investigations focuses on the investigative work associated with fatal or other serious traffic collisions. Officers may document crash scenes, examine physical evidence and coordinate with other agencies when needed.
Crisis Negotiations personnel can assist during incidents in which communication and de-escalation are important to resolving a dangerous situation.
Technology and Crime Analysis
Oxford Police lists both a Technological Support Unit and the East Metro Area Crime Center among its specialized functions.
Technology and crime-information resources assist officers with intelligence, digital information and crime patterns.
The Aviation Support Unit provides another specialized resource for police operations when aerial assistance is appropriate.
Community Contact and City Services
Oxford Police emphasizes maintaining communication with residents and businesses. Non-emergency comments and concerns can be directed to the department through its general number or Administration Division.
The City also operates Oxford 311 for non-police municipal service requests.
Oxford 311 can be reached by dialing: 311 or 256-241-4311
The 311 service is appropriate for matters such as potholes, fallen limbs, garbage-service questions, damaged signs and other city-service issues. It should not be used as a replacement for police dispatch when a law-enforcement response is needed.
What County Is Oxford Police Department In?
Oxford is primarily located in Calhoun County, Alabama.
The City has also annexed property in Talladega County.
Oxford Police provides municipal law-enforcement services within Oxford city limits. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and Talladega County Sheriff’s Office are separate county agencies with their own responsibilities.
How to File an Oxford Police Report
For an emergency or crime in progress, call 911.
For a non-emergency incident requiring police assistance, call: 256-831-3121
A dispatcher can provide instructions or arrange for an officer response when appropriate.
Oxford’s 311 service should be used for general city-service issues rather than criminal reports. A suspected crime, theft, assault, suspicious activity or other police matter should be reported directly to the Police Department.
Oxford Police Records and Record Checks
People seeking information connected to a police case should begin by contacting the Police Department at 256-831-3121 or Administration at 256-835-6108.
Oxford Municipal Court handles misdemeanors, traffic citations and city-ordinance violations occurring within Oxford city limits. The court also provides record checks during designated weekday hours and requires picture identification.
The Municipal Court is located in the same public-safety complex:
- 600 Stanley Merrill Drive
- Oxford, Alabama 36203
The court telephone number is: 256-835-6118
Oxford Municipal Court and Warrants
Oxford Municipal Court handles municipal criminal cases, traffic citations and ordinance violations.
The court office is generally open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
Warrants are issued to the public during designated weekday periods. Record checks are also completed during the same listed schedule and require photo identification.
A person with a court, citation or warrant question should contact the Municipal Court rather than relying on police dispatch for court-specific information.
Oxford Police Corrections and County Jail
Oxford Police recruits correction officers as part of its public-safety workforce, reflecting a municipal corrections function associated with police operations.
For county-level detention, the Calhoun County Jail is operated by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and is located at:
- 400 W. 8th Street, Anniston, Alabama 36201
Jail information is available at: 256-236-5561 or 256-241-8032
Current inmate information can be checked through the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office inmate roster or by contacting the jail.
Complaints, Comments and Department Feedback
Residents with a non-emergency comment, concern or complaint involving Oxford Police can contact the department at: 256-831-3121
Administrative questions or concerns can also be directed to: 256-835-6108
Useful information includes:
- Date and time of the incident
- Exact location
- Employee name or description when known
- Police case number
- Witness information
- Photographs, video or other supporting material
- A clear description of what occurred
Providing specific information can help the department identify the incident and determine the appropriate follow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Oxford Police non-emergency number?
A: The Oxford Police Department general non-emergency number is 256-831-3121. Call 911 for emergencies or crimes currently in progress.
Q: Where is Oxford Police Department located?
A: Oxford Police Department is located at 600 Stanley Merrill Drive, Oxford, Alabama 36203.
Q: What are the main Oxford Police divisions?
A: The department publicly identifies the Administrative Division, Uniform Division and Criminal Investigations Division as its main divisions.
Q: What county is Oxford, Alabama in?
A: Oxford is primarily in Calhoun County, although the City has also annexed property in Talladega County. Oxford Police provides municipal law-enforcement services within the city limits.
Q: Does Oxford Police have correctional services?
A: Yes. Oxford Police recruits correction officers as part of its workforce. County-level detention is handled through facilities such as the Calhoun County Jail in Anniston.