The Park Ridge Police Department, along with every other law enforcement agency in the state, is mandated to accept reports of officer misconduct from any person, including anonymous sources, at any time. All complaints of officer misconduct shall be accepted from all persons who wish to file a complaint regardless of the hour or day of the week. This includes reports from anonymous sources, juveniles, and persons under arrest or in custody. Citizens are encouraged to submit their complaints as soon after the incident as possible.

The complainant will be advised that he or she will be kept informed of the status of the complaint and its ultimate disposition. The complainant will also be advised of the importance of providing accurate and truthful information. Although there may be complaints against officers that are legitimate and based upon facts, there are others that are contrived and maliciously pursued, often with the intent to mitigate or neutralize legal action taken against the complainant by the officer. The Park Ridge Police Department will notify the County Prosecutor in any case where a complainant has fabricated or intentionally misrepresented material facts to initiate a complaint of officer misconduct.

• Citizen Complaint Information Sheets (Multiple Languages)

Law Enforcement Code of Ethics

As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all persons to liberty, equality and justice. 

I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty. 

I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminal, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities. 

I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession...law enforcement.