How to commend a police department employee or file a complaint

If you wish to commend the actions of any Galesburg Police Department employee, you may

  • Contact the employee's supervisor by phone, email, letter or in person to give your comments
  • Contact the Chief of Police, City Manager or Mayor
  • Complete the form provided below

Commendations received in writing will be relayed to the employee and placed in the employee's personnel file.

A complaint may be filed by contacting the Police Department either in person, online, at City Hall, by telephone or in writing. It is very important to include as much information as possible regarding the incident and to provide your contact information should additional questions arise or an interview be requested. Anyone who is directly involved or witness an incident that raises cause for concern may file a complaint.

Commendation or complaints can be made any time, day or night, online, by calling 309/343-9151, in person at City Hall or at the Galesburg Public Safety Building, 150 South Broad Street, Galesburg, Illinois. Please ask for the Duty Officer as they will take the initial information.
The employee's immediate shift supervisor will investigate the complaint. If a resolution is not reached the Deputy Chief should be contacted.
An internal investigation is the responsibility of the Police Administration. Our objective is to complete a thorough and impartial investigation. Every effort will be made to satisfactorily conclude the investigation. This may require interviews with involved parties including witnesses and the collection of evidence. The length of the investigation will depend on the complexity of the case.

Once the investigation is complete, the Deputy Chief will submit the finding to the Chief of Police. After reviewing the facts, the Chief of Police will make the final decision on the validity of the complaint and if discipline is warranted. Discipline may range from verbal reprimand to dismissal. Once the final disposition has been determined, the Police Department shall provide notification of the disposition to the complainant. The possible dispositions are:

  • UNFOUNDED-Allegation is false or not factual
  • NOT SUSTAINED-Insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the incident
  • EXONERATED-Action was proper and lawful
  • SUSTAINED-Allegation supported by the investigation

Should there be dissatisfaction with the Department's decision regarding employee misconduct, the City Manager or Mayor may be contacted.

Galesburg Police Department Citizen Compliment or Complaint Form

I certify that all information provided in this form is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.