How does the Hanover Park Police Department handle citizen complaints?

The Hanover Park Police Department takes and investigates ALL complaints. This practice is prescribed by our written policy, which is reviewed by personnel on at least an annual basis. It is important to note that we will take complaints in any form.  Historically, we have received complaints in person, voicemail, email, written letters, and social media messages as examples. Complaints can also be transmitted internally (i.e. employee complaining about another employee’s conduct).

Complaint forms are available at the front desk of the PD.  Additionally, they can be emailed, faxed, or mailed to complainants. Once a complaint is received, the Deputy Chief of Support Services oversees the handling of this complaint.  For less serious conduct, an informal inquiry is conducted. For serious policy violations, illegal activity, or other significant allegation, a formal inquiry is conducted. Formal inquiries generally involve allegations that, if found to be factual, could result in a suspension of more than three days or termination of the officer.

Following the investigation, the Deputy Chief ensures that the complainant is notified of the outcome of the case. This is done in writing. The Deputy Chief also tracks all internal investigations and completes an annual analysis. The results of this analysis are published here on this website and in the Annual Report for transparency purposes. Historically, we experience only a handful of internal investigations each year.

To learn more about internal investigations, click here.

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1. Are Hanover Park Police Officers trained to de-escalate altercations by using peaceful conflict resolution strategies?
2. Are Hanover Park Police officers forbidden to use chokeholds? Are they allowed to transport prisoners in the prone position?
3. Are Hanover Park Police Officers required to intervene if they witness another officer using excessive force? Will officers be reprimanded if they fail to intervene?
4. Are Hanover Park Police Officers forbidden from shooting at moving vehicles?
5. Is there a clear and enforced use-of-force continuum that details what weapons and force are acceptable in a wide variety of police-civilian interactions?
6. Are Hanover Park Police Officers required to exhaust every other possible option before using excessive force?
7. Are Hanover Park Police Officers required to give a verbal warning to civilians before drawing their weapon or using excessive force?
8. Are Hanover Park Police Officers required to report each time they use force on civilians?
9. Are Hanover Park Police Officers thoroughly vetted to ensure that they do not have a history with abuse, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, or discrimination?
10. Are Hanover Park Police Officers trained to perform and seek necessary medical action after using force?
11. Is there an early intervention system enforced to correct officers who use excessive force?
12. How many excessive force complaints does an officer have to receive before they are reprimanded? Before they are terminated?
13. Is there a report on civilian deaths that occurred in custody as a result of use of excessive force by a police officer?
14. How does the Hanover Park Police Department handle citizen complaints?
15. Is the Hanover Park Police Department familiar with the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing Report?
16. Does the Hanover Park Police Department regularly review and update department policies and employ best practices?