Chicago Police Department
This department has independent oversight.
Sivil routes complaints first to Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) — the civilian oversight body for Chicago. Routing here means your complaint isn't reviewed by the people it's about.
File directly with Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA)How easy is it to share feedback with Chicago?
We audit every department's public-facing feedback channels. Last verified 07/21/2024.
Chicago Police Department (IL)
How to file a complaint about a Chicago Police Department officer
The Chicago Police Department serves roughly 2,628,298 residents. If you had a problem with an officer, you have three distinct ways to file a complaint — and they are not equivalent. Here is how each one works in Chicago, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.
1. Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) — independent civilian oversight
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about Chicago Police Department officers outside the department's own chain of command — your complaint is not investigated by colleagues of the officer involved. It accepts anonymous complaints, so you can file without giving your name. No notarization is required to file.
- File online with the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA)
- How the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) complaint process works
- By phone: (312) 746-3609
- In person or by mail: 1615 W. Chicago Avenue 4th Floor Chicago, IL 60622, Chicago IL 60622
- Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) website
2. Chicago Police Department Bureau of Internal Affairs — the department's internal channel
Complaints filed with Bureau of Internal Affairs are investigated inside the department itself. The office investigates anonymous complaints.
- Email: COPA-PublicAffairs@chicagocopa.org
- Phone: 312-746-3609
- Department page on the complaint process
3. File through Sivil
Sivil delivers your complaint by email to the right recipient for this department — routed to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) so it is reviewed independently. You keep a copy, and it takes about five minutes. Start your complaint here.
Good to know
- The Chicago Police Department homepage links directly to complaint-filing information.
- General department line: 311
Compiled by Sivil from agency websites and public records; last verified 07/21/2024. Procedures change — confirm details with the agency before relying on them. Sharing a positive experience instead? Send a compliment.