How to file a complaint about Arlington Heights police
If you believe a police officer or police employee in Arlington Heights acted improperly, you have the right
to file a complaint. This page explains the basic steps, what to include, and what to expect after you speak up.
Jump to how to file
What to include in your complaint
What should happen next
This is an independent summary based on general police complaint practices and local information. It is not
an official Village of Arlington Heights policy and is not legal advice.
Who can complain and what you can complain about
Anyone can file
You can file a complaint if you are directly involved, a witness, a family member, or a concerned resident.
You do not have to live in Arlington Heights and you do not have to be a citizen.
Conduct and policy violations
Complaints usually involve things like disrespectful behavior, unnecessary or excessive force,
biased treatment, unlawful searches or arrests, dishonesty, retaliation, or violations of written policy.
File as soon as you can
There may be internal deadlines for how far back the department will look at misconduct. The sooner you
file, the easier it is to track down body camera footage, reports, and witnesses.
You can file a complaint even if you were arrested or cited, and even if your criminal or traffic case is still pending.
How and where to file a complaint
File with the Arlington Heights Police Department
Most complaints start with the police department itself. You can usually file in person, by phone,
or in writing. Ask for information about how to file a complaint and where to send written complaints.
When you file with the department, ask the person you speak with to write down your complaint or give
you the official complaint form. Get a copy of anything you sign.
Ask for a complaint or internal affairs case number and write it down. It makes it easier to follow up later.
File with village management or elected officials
You can also send a written complaint to village leadership. For example, you can write to the Village
Manager or Village Board to put them on notice about a serious incident or pattern of problems.
Complaints to village leadership may still be routed back to the police department for investigation,
but they help create a record that elected officials were informed.
Suggested contacts for written complaints
These contacts are provided as a starting point. Confirm current titles and addresses on the Village of
Arlington Heights website before sending anything time sensitive.
| Office | Name / title | How to contact |
|---|---|---|
| Police Department | Chief of Police |
In person at the police station, or by mail addressed to the Chief of Police, Arlington Heights Police Department. Use the department non emergency number to ask where to direct written complaints. |
| Village Manager | Village Manager | Mail to Village Hall, attention Village Manager, or email the manager’s office. Put “Police complaint” in the subject line. |
| Village Clerk | Village Clerk |
Mail or email to the Village Clerk for inclusion in the public record. You can ask that your contact information be kept as limited as the law allows if you have safety concerns. |
If you file electronically, keep copies of your emails or portal submissions. If you file by mail, send copies,
not your only set of documents or media.
What to include in your complaint
You do not need legal language. Aim for clear and factual. If you are uncomfortable writing in English,
you can still file a complaint and ask for help expressing it in writing.
- Who: Names or badge numbers of officers, if you know them. If not, describe uniforms, patrol car numbers, gender, race, or any other details.
- When: Date and approximate time. If it happened over multiple days, list each date.
- Where: Address, intersection, business name, or neighborhood.
- What happened: Describe what you saw and experienced, in order. Include direct quotes when you remember them.
- Witnesses: Names and contact information for anyone who saw or heard what happened.
- Records and evidence: Case numbers, ticket numbers, jail bracelet numbers, photos, videos, medical records, or other documents.
- Impact: Injuries, property damage, missed work, or other harms that resulted from the incident.
Stick to what you know and what you experienced. If you include rumors or guesses, label them clearly as such or leave them out.
Sample complaint language you can adapt
You can use a structure like this and fill in your own details:
On [date] at approximately [time], I had contact with Arlington Heights police officers at [location].
I believe one or more of the officers violated department policy or my rights by [brief description].
The officers involved were [names or descriptions if known]. I am attaching or referring to the following
documents or evidence: [list].
I am requesting that the department investigate this incident and let me know the outcome of the investigation.
What should happen after you file a complaint
What the department should do
The department should log your complaint, assign a case or internal affairs number, and decide who will investigate it.
You may be contacted for an interview or to provide more detail or documents.
In many departments, complaints are classified by seriousness. Some are handled by a supervisor, others by an internal
affairs unit, and some may be referred to outside investigators.
Ask who is handling your complaint and how you will be notified about the outcome.
Possible results
At the end of an investigation, the department usually labels the complaint as sustained, not sustained, unfounded,
exonerated, or similar terms. Those labels can be important if you later request records or talk to a lawyer.
You may not be told the exact discipline imposed, if any, but you can often request records related to the complaint
later through a FOIA request.
Track your own paper trail
Keep your own file with copies of your complaint, any emails, letters, or portal messages, and notes from phone calls.
Write down dates, times, and the names of people you speak with at the village or police department.
If you later file public records requests, talk to a lawyer, or raise concerns with elected officials,
this timeline will be important.
If you are worried about retaliation
People sometimes worry that complaining about police will make things worse. Retaliation for filing a good faith
complaint is itself serious misconduct, but that does not mean it never happens. Take reasonable steps to protect yourself.
- Consider using a mailing address, phone number, or email that does not expose your home address widely.
- Tell a trusted friend, family member, or advocate about your complaint and share copies of your documents.
- Document any later contact with officers that feels like harassment or retaliation, with dates, times, and details.
- If you are represented by a lawyer, ask them before speaking directly with investigators about your complaint.
If you believe you are in immediate danger, call 911. For non emergency concerns about retaliation, you can talk with
civil rights organizations, legal aid groups, or private attorneys who handle police misconduct cases.
This page describes general complaint practices and accountability concepts for police departments, adapted for
Arlington Heights based on public information. It is not an official complaint policy and it is not legal advice.
Procedures and contact information can change. For the most current official complaint process, check directly with
the Village of Arlington Heights or the Arlington Heights Police Department.