Atlanta Police Department Headquarters: How to Reach It and What It Does for the City

The Atlanta Police Department (APD) Headquarters is the central hub for city policing operations. Whether you live in Atlanta, work in the city, or you’re visiting, it helps to know what happens at headquarters, when you might need to interact with it, and where you should actually go for different types of police services.

Where Is Atlanta Police Department Headquarters?

The main Atlanta Police Department Headquarters is located in downtown Atlanta:

Atlanta Police Department Headquarters
226 Peachtree Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main Phone (Non-Emergency): 404-546-5900
Emergency: Call 911

This building houses APD’s executive leadership and many of its core administrative and investigative units. It is not a walk-in neighborhood precinct, but some public-facing services are available by appointment or specific office.

If you just need an officer to respond to a situation, you generally do not need to go to headquarters; you’ll either call 911 (emergency) or the non-emergency line, and officers from your local zone will respond.

When You Should Contact APD Headquarters vs. Other APD Offices

Different needs are handled by different parts of the police department. Headquarters is one piece of that system.

Common Reasons to Contact APD (and Where to Start)

If you’re unsure where to start, headquarters staff can usually point you to the right unit or zone.

What Happens at APD Headquarters?

Headquarters is the “nerve center” of the Atlanta Police Department. You won’t see regular patrol cars dispatched directly from this building, but a lot of the planning, oversight, and specialized work happens here.

Key Functions Based at or Coordinated Through Headquarters

• Police leadership and administration
  The Chief of Police and command staff oversee strategy, staffing, and citywide priorities from headquarters.

• Investigative divisions
  Detectives and specialized units often coordinate from HQ, including:

  • Homicide and violent crimes investigations
  • Major fraud, property crimes, and specialized investigations
  • Gang, narcotics, and organized crime units

• Crime analysis and support services
  Analysts at or connected to HQ help track crime trends and direct resources to where they’re most needed.

• Training, standards, and internal affairs
  Internal oversight, policy, training coordination, and professional standards are typically managed centrally from HQ.

While this work happens behind the scenes, the effects directly shape patrols, enforcement, and safety in neighborhoods across Atlanta—Midtown, Buckhead, Southwest Atlanta, Southeast Atlanta, and beyond.

Emergencies, Non‑Emergencies, and When to Call

Knowing who to call is more important for most people than knowing where headquarters is.

When to Call 911 in Atlanta

Use 911 for:

• A crime in progress (break‑in, assault, armed robbery)
• Immediate threats to life or safety
• Active domestic violence situations
• Major traffic crashes with injuries
• Fires, serious medical emergencies, or anything time‑sensitive and dangerous

When you call 911 in Atlanta, the dispatcher can send APD, Atlanta Fire Rescue, and EMS as needed.

When to Use a Non-Emergency Number

Use a non-emergency line when:

• The incident already happened and no one is in immediate danger
  (e.g., a car break-in discovered after the fact)
• You need to report a noise complaint, suspicious activity, or quality-of-life issue that is not urgent
• You need follow-up information on a previous report (and don’t have your detective’s direct number)
• You need guidance but there’s no immediate threat

The standard APD non-emergency number is commonly listed as 404-614-6544 (verify the most current number for accuracy). This number is different from the headquarters main line.

APD Zones and Local Precincts vs. Headquarters

If you live in Atlanta, your day-to-day contact with the police will more likely involve your APD Zone than headquarters.

Atlanta is divided into police zones (for example, Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, etc.), each with its own precinct office. These zones cover:

• Northwest Atlanta
• Buckhead and North Atlanta
• Southeast Atlanta
• Southwest Atlanta
• Downtown and Midtown
• Other nearby neighborhoods within city limits

When to Use Your Local Zone Instead of HQ

You might contact your zone precinct to:

• Follow up on a case with a specific zone detective or officer
• Ask about patrol concerns in your neighborhood
• Get connected to a community liaison officer
• Learn about neighborhood watch or community meetings
• Discuss traffic or speeding issues on a specific street

If you don’t know which zone you’re in, you can call APD Headquarters and ask which zone covers your address; staff can route you or provide a zone number and phone.

Visiting or Contacting APD Headquarters: Practical Tips

Headquarters is a major downtown government building, so it’s helpful to plan ahead.

Before You Go

• Call first. Not every service is handled at headquarters, and many offices work by appointment or specific hours.
• Know your purpose. Be ready to explain whether you need:
  • Records or documents
  • Administrative help
  • To speak with a specific unit or investigator
• Bring ID. A state-issued ID or driver’s license is usually recommended when entering government buildings.

Getting There and Parking

• Location: 226 Peachtree Street SW is in the downtown core of Atlanta.
• Expect downtown traffic, especially during rush hours and events at places like Mercedes‑Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena.
• Public parking around downtown includes decks and surface lots (fees and availability vary).
• If you’re using MARTA, downtown rail stations (such as Five Points or Peachtree Center) are generally within walking distance, depending on your route.

Because parking and access patterns can shift over time, it’s wise to confirm parking and visitor entrance details by phone before heading to the building.

How the Atlanta Police Department Supports Community Safety

Headquarters is also where many citywide programs and policies are coordinated. Even if you never step into the building, it influences:

Community Policing and Neighborhood Outreach

APD often works with:

• Neighborhood planning units (NPUs)
• Homeowner associations and neighborhood groups
• Business districts and local organizations

From HQ and zone offices, community officers may organize:

• Crime-prevention meetings
• Safety presentations for schools, churches, and businesses
• Neighborhood clean‑ups and community events

If you’re interested in organizing a neighborhood watch or having an officer speak at a local event, your request may be routed through headquarters or your local zone’s community officer.

Citywide Safety Initiatives

Many larger efforts are planned or overseen from HQ, such as:

• Downtown safety strategies
• Event and protest planning in coordination with other agencies
• Traffic and pedestrian safety initiatives in busy areas like Midtown, Downtown, and Buckhead
• Collaboration with regional, state, or federal partners when needed

Getting Records and Reports Connected to APD

While not every records service is physically inside the main HQ building, many records-related processes are coordinated through APD.

Common requests include:

• Incident reports (for insurance or legal needs)
• Accident reports from motor vehicle collisions
• Certain arrest reports or other public records

To save time:

1. Call APD or check with the City of Atlanta to confirm:
   • Which office handles your specific type of record
   • Whether you can request it online, by mail, or in person
2. Have ready:
   • The report number, if you have it
   • Date and approximate time of the incident
   • Location and names involved, if known

If you’re not sure where to begin, the APD Headquarters main number (404-546-5900) can usually direct you to the correct records office or city department.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta and Need Police Assistance

For visitors staying in downtown hotels, Midtown, Buckhead, or near the airport, the rules are the same:

• Emergencies: Call 911 from your cell phone or any phone.
• Non-emergencies: Use the APD non-emergency number (such as 404-614-6544) for past incidents or non-urgent concerns.
• Lost property, pickpocketing, or theft from vehicles: These are common reasons visitors may need to file a report.
  • You may be able to file a report over the phone or in person at a local APD zone rather than going to headquarters.
• Hotel assistance: Many downtown and Midtown hotels are familiar with local police contacts and can help you connect with APD if you’re unsure how to proceed.

You typically do not need to go to APD Headquarters for routine visitor issues unless you’re specifically directed there.

Key Takeaways: Using APD Headquarters Effectively

• Headquarters address:
  Atlanta Police Department Headquarters
  226 Peachtree Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main line: 404-546-5900

• Emergencies: Always call 911.

• Non-emergencies: Use the APD non-emergency number (commonly listed as 404-614-6544; confirm current number).

• For neighborhood concerns, follow-ups, and community issues, your local APD zone precinct is often the most direct contact.

• For records, administration, or specialized units, headquarters staff can tell you which office handles your request and how to reach them.

Knowing what APD Headquarters is—and when you actually need it—helps you use Atlanta’s public safety system more confidently and efficiently, whether you’re a long-time resident or just spending a few days in the city.