Police Department

The Park Forest Police Department serves the people of Park Forest, Illinois, a community of approximately 22,000 people in the suburban Chicago area. Responsible for law enforcement duties in both Cook and Will Counties, Park Forest Police Officers handle approximately 18,000-20,000 calls for service every year. From its inception in 1949 with just 4 officers and a director, the Park Forest Police Department has grown to a state-of-the-art law enforcement agency with 60 employees. Divided into divisions of Patrol, Investigations, and Administration, some officers also specialize in assignments such as K9 handler, special operations, accident investigation, and a variety of specialized teams and task forces.

The mission of the Park Forest Police Department is to protect life and property and enhance the quality of life for all citizens while enforcing the laws of the State of Illinois and ordinances of the Village of Park Forest, in accordance with Constitutional rights. The men and women of the Police Department, working under the motto “Proud to Serve”, take pride in providing professional police service to the community they have sworn to protect. The Police Department is committed to serving all citizens equally, in a manner that is both procedurally just and transparent.

While always striving to improve our performance, there are three areas of which we are extremely proud. First, our commitment to community relations remains at the forefront of everything we do. Whether it’s through our extensive outreach via social media or in-person events such as Coffee with a Cop, Outdoor Roll Call, Unity Day, Neighborhood Meetings, and many more face-to-face opportunities, we believe that a police department can only be as effective as its relationship with its citizens is strong.

We are equally committed to having a highly trained police force. All police personnel receive advanced training in Crisis Intervention Team Training (dealing with persons in mental health crisis), Trauma Informed Training (understanding how traumatic experiences affect childhood outcomes), Juvenile Law, First Aid, and Interview and Interrogations. Click on our Police Training link to the left to learn more about our extensive investment in officer training.

Likewise, from our Youth Violence Prevention Engagement, which diverts youth from the formal criminal justice system, to our screening of all juveniles in custody for Adverse Childhood Experiences and linking them and their families to resources, the Park Forest Police Department has demonstrated a firm commitment to juvenile issues through innovate approaches. Our Juvenile Services link highlights some of the efforts to provide resources and make connections with young people in Park Forest. 

Please explore the links provided to learn more about the Park Forest Police Department and our efforts to provide quality law enforcement service to our community. Please remember that if there is anything we can ever do to help, we are only a call away.