Know Your Police
 
Chicago Police Department
    
       Your Local Police District
          
           In emergencies, residents should call 911.  In non-emergency situations, the Police Department urges residents to call a second hotline, 311.  Residents can also contact their local police districts directly.
    Hyde Park-Kenwood is patrolled by officers from the 21st Police District:
    300 E. 29th Street
    Chicago, IL 60616
    (312) 747-8340
    District Home Page
 
    Woodlawn is patrolled by officers from the 3rd Police District:
    7040 S. Cottage Grove Avenue
    Chicago,  IL  60637
    (312) 747-8201
    District Home Page
 
    Washington Park is patrolled by officers from the 2nd Police District
    5101 S. Wentworth Avenue
    Chicago, IL  60609
    (312) 747-8366
    District Home Page
 
 
    CAPS and Beat Meetings
 
    First implemented in 1993, the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (known as CAPS) encourages close interaction between police officers and the residents they serve.  Each of Chicago’s 280-odd beats is patrolled by 8 to 9 beat officers who remain assigned to the same beat on the same watch for at least a year.  In Hyde Park, Kenwood, Woodlawn and Washington Park, these officers hold regular beat meetings that allow them to get to know residents and discuss shared concerns over local crime conditions.  More information on CAPS can be found here.
    If you live in Hyde Park or Kenwood and you want to attend your beat meeting, identify your beat on this map and attend the next scheduled beat meeting listed on this chart.
    If you live in Woodlawn and you want to attend your beat meeting, identify your beat on this map and attend the next scheduled beat meeting listed on this chart.
    If you live in Washington Park and you want to attend your beat meeting, identify your beat on this map and attend the next scheduled beat meeting listed on this chart.
    Advice on how to get the most out of your beat meetings can be found here.
    
 
    Compliments and Complaints
 
    Compliments for Chicago Police officers can be filed using this online form.
 
 
University of Chicago Police
    Department
    
      Contact Information and Services
    
         5555 South Ellis Avenue
    Chicago, IL  60637
    The University of Chicago Police Department employs over 140 specially-trained and state-certified officers responsible for patrolling the area between 39th and 64th Streets and Cottage Grove Avenue to Lake Shore Drive around the clock.
    In emergencies, the UCPD can be contacted at (773) 702-8181 or by pushing the large red button on one of the more than 300 emergency phones scattered around the neighborhood, each identified by a blue light at any one of these locations.  The Department is also willing to send patrol cars to follow concerned residents while they walk in the Department’s patrol area, among a great many other services.
 
    Compliments and Complaints
 
    Compliments for the Department can be filed with the watch commander on duty at (773) 702-8181 or by filing out a feedback form and emailing it to Jeff Collier.
    Complaints concerning officer behavior can be filed with the Independent Review Committee for the Department by filing out this form and getting it signed by a commanding officer.  A UCPD supervisor investigates each complaint.  Complaints involving allegations of excessive force, violation of rights and abusive language are evaluated by the Independent Review Committee.  The Committee is composed of three faculty members, three students, two staff members and three community members.  It produces an annual report of its findings, which can be found here.
    Students filing complaints can get assistance by calling the Dean of Students Office at (773) 834-HELP.  Community members can get similar assistance by calling the Office of Community Affairs at (773) 702-8195.
 
 
Image sources
Officer with kids:  Chicago History Museum.  Chicago Daily News negatives collection, DN-0001916. Courtesy of the Chicago History Museum.  Image cropped.