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 Police Department > Introduction |
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I. What is Our Purpose
Our purpose
is to create the safest possible atmosphere for our citizens, promote and foster a positive police-citizen partnership
with the community while enhancing the quality of life for all City residents, and to treat all individuals with
dignity and respect. The Police Department operates under the authority of the State of Illinois, City of Northlake
Ordinances, Rules and Regulations as established by the City Council, and General Orders issued by the Chief of Police.
Our
mission is to
provide the highest quality of police service to our community by providing fair and impartial treatment to people
regardless of race, ethnic background, religious beliefs or economic status. We attempt to do this within community
policing and community service as our foundation to help develop a lasting trust between the police and our citizens.
The Northlake Police
Department's formal mission statement is the foundation on which all operational decisions and organizational directives
are based. It puts into words the commitment of the Police Department to enhance quality service from our officers. The
department motto is "Committed to Excellence." All employees are expected to work consistently toward that goal in the
performance of their daily duties and responsibilities.
II. What We Believe
The City of Northlake
is an ethnically diverse city with a variety of cultural values, lifestyles, customs and problems. The Northlake Police
Department is committed to objective and impartial law enforcement. It is recognized that all persons have a right to
dignified treatment. Our mission statement stresses these concepts.
- Values
We, as members of the Northlake Police Department, are commmitted to these values: Integrity, Pride and Quality of Service.
Through these values we will maintain positive relationships with all members of our organization and the community we serve.
- Integrity
We, as an organization, believe that integrity is the foundation of community trust. To accomplish this, we will be honest,
consistent and ethical as we interact with each other and the people we serve, developing a partnership within the community
that maintains trust. We will investigate all complaints against any employee in an open and impartial manner. We will be
role models for the community.
- Pride
We, as an organization, believe we must project a positive professional image of ourselves and the community we serve. We will
accomplish this teamwork, commitment, accountability and mutual cooperation.
- Quality of Service
We, as an organization, believe in community wellness through the delivery of quality service. We will respect and protect the
rights of people. We will treat all people fairly, impartially and with concern and compassion, to reduce crime and the fear
of crime within the community. In all contact with the public, members of the Northlake Police Department must earn respect
for themselves as individuals, as well as being representatives of the Police Department, by respecting the human rights of all
members of the community.
III. Organizational Structure
The City of Northlake
Mayor is the highest law enforcement officer in the City. The Mayor appoints the Chief of Police with the approval of
the City Council.
The Chief of Police
is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Police Department. The Chief of Police provides direction and guidance
to Department personnel, while creating vision for today and the future. The Chief also promotes positive and negative
discipline within the organization, interacts with outside law enforcement and private agencies to complement daily
operations, as well as prepares budgets for the expenditure of all City funding for the Department.
The Chief of Police
is directly assisted by the Deputy Chief of Police who is responsible for providing all members of the community timely
emergency and non-emergency services and effectively directs and administers other command and supervisory members of the
Department. The Deputy Chief is assisted by three (3) Commanders and five (5) Sergeants. A Records Supervisor and
Telecommunications Supervisor coordinate and supervise these areas of Department operations.
The Police
Department is divided in the following areas:
Administrative
Responsible for
establishment of policy, setting of standards, management of fiscal matters, Department budget, and the day-to-day
operations of the Department.
Patrol
The Patrol Division
is the foundation of the Police Department. It is responsible for being proactive in the prevention/suppression of crime
in the community and responding to all calls for service. Patrol Officers are responsible for traffic enforcement,
accident investigation, follow up of reported incidents, maintaining positive public relations, in addition to those
assignments given during their tour of duty.
Investigations
The Investigative
Division is responsible for the follow up of major crimes and criminal case reports. Additionally, this division is
responsible for all juvenile related matters and incidents.
Support Services
This division is
comprised of Records, Clerical, Telecommunications and Community Service. Records and Clerical is responsible for the
handling, maintenance and audit of Department documents, reports and records. Telecommunications is responsible
for the dispatching of Police Department personnel to all emergency and non-emergency calls for assistance from
citizens. The Community Service Officer is responsible for handling all animal (domestic and wild) incidents, enforcement
of parking regulations, and all City code violations.
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