COOK COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY KIMBERLY FOXX ANNOUNCES NEW RESOURCE FOR PUBLIC TO REPORT ALLEGED POLICE CRIMINAL MISCONDUCT

Today, Cook County State’s Attorney Kimberly Foxx announced a new online process where county residents can directly report allegations of criminal police misconduct to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO).

The CCSAO’s Police Criminal Misconduct Complaint Form aims to increase community safety and police accountability. Some examples of criminal misconduct include: burglary, excessive force (battery, aggravated battery), home invasion, intimidation, and theft.  

“As we see an increase in allegations of police criminal misconduct, it is our obligation to provide an outlet where these serious concerns can be acknowledged and addressed in a timely way,” said State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. “This tool will allow direct access to the State’s Attorney’s Office and offer an immediate resource as we work to increase accountability and equity in our justice system.”

The form allows individuals to upload photo and video evidence of the alleged incident and to submit detailed information related to the alleged police criminal misconduct.  The submissions will be reviewed by prosecutors in the CCSAO’s Law Enforcement Accountability Division (LEAD), tasked with reviewing investigations and prosecuting police officers charged with criminal offenses. The LEAD prosecutor will then determine whether the matter should be referred to an investigative agency or closed without additional review. Once such a determination is made, the complainant will receive an email informing of the decision and, if applicable, providing contact information for the agency investigating the complaint.

Non-criminal complaints involving the Chicago Police Department should be made to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) and the chief of internal affairs division for the involved suburban police departments.