Sheriff’s Police
By Illinois statute, the Sheriff in each county having more than one million inhabitants shall maintain a County Police Department division (55 ILCS 5/3-7001). At present in Illinois, only Cook County meets that statutory standard.
The Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department is the third largest police department in the State of Illinois, with more than 500 officers. The Police Department is commanded by the Chief of Police and is divided into six principal divisions:
- Field Operations Division – Patrol (DUI specialists, Truck/Traffic Unit, Court Officers, Community Safety Team), Crossing Guards, Emergency Services, Air Support, School Safety Program, and Police Training Academy.
- Criminal Investigations Division – Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators (CSI).
- Special Victims Division – Vice, Human Trafficking, Child Protection Unit, Missing Person Unit and Forensic Services.
- Organized Crime Division – Narcotics, Organized Crime, Gun Suppression Team, Tech Unit, and Extraditions.
- Communication Operations Division – E-911 and Radio Dispatch, 24-hour Warrant Desk.
- Operational Support Division – Records Section, Asset Forfeiture, Impounds and Tows, Alarm Permits, Extra-Duty Programs, Evidence and Recovered Property.
The Department’s more than 100 civilian personnel are primarily Telecommunicators in the consolidated E-911 Center, which serves all unincorporated Cook County, Berkeley, Blue Island, Dixmoor, Ford Heights, Gold, Harvey, Hometown, Indian Head Park, Lyons, Merrionette Park, Metra commuter rail system (covers six counties, into Wisconsin), Northlake, Palos Park, Park Ridge, Phoenix, and Robbins.
The Department’s primary responsibility, as mandated by the Illinois State Constitution, is to provide police services to the 115,000 residents in the unincorporated areas of the County. The approximately 15% of Cook County, Illinois that is unincorporated lies interspersed among the 131 incorporated municipalities within its 946 square miles of land area.
Additionally, the Sheriff’s Police has several specialized units that provide services to suburban police departments on a mutual aid basis. Please use the menu to explore them.
District office locations:
DISTRICT 2 – Skokie
5600 Old Orchard Rd
Skokie, Illinois 60077
708-470-7455
DISTRICT 3 – Rolling Meadows
2121 West Euclid Avenue
Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008
847-818-2730
POLICE HEADQUARTERS (formerly District 4)
1401 S. Maybrook Drive
Maywood, Illinois 60153
708-865-4700
DISTRICT 5 – Bridgeview
10220 South 76th Avenue
Bridgeview, Illinois 60455
708-974-6727
DISTRICT 6 – Markham
16501 South Kedzie Parkway
Markham, Illinois 60426
708-232-4946
We thank all of our Sheriff’s police officers for their dedication and for their service. We will always honor and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Statutory Mandates
55 ILCS 5/3-6021 – Conservator of the peace.
55 ILCS 5/3-7001 – Maintenance of county police department.
Ord. No. 12-O-62, 11-9-2012 – Gambling machine tax, enforcement.
Ord. No. 15-6469, 11-18-2015 – Ammunition Tax Ordinance, enforcement.
725 ILCS 5/107-16 – Apprehension of offender.
730 ILCS 148 – Arsonist Registration Act.
730 ILCS 150 – Sex Offender Registration Act.
730 ILCS 154 – Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Act.
730 ILCS 152/120(a-2) – Sex Offender Community Notification Law.
55 ILCS 5/3-6019 – Serve and executive warrants.
County Code Ch. 58 – Offenses and miscellaneous provisions (e.g., public safety, lost/stolen/destroyed/transferred firearms).
Leo Schmitz serves as the Chief of Police for the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department, a position he has held since January of 2019. With a career in law enforcement spanning over three decades, Chief Schmitz is renowned for his steadfast commitment to public safety and for his strategic approach to operating the state’s third largest law enforcement agency.
Born and raised in Chicago, Chief Schmitz’s journey in law enforcement began with the Chicago Police Department (CPD), where he started as a patrol officer. Over the years, he rose through the ranks, demonstrating exemplary leadership and operational acumen which eventually led him to serve as Deputy Chief.
In 2015, before joining the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Schmitz was appointed as the Director of the Illinois State Police (ISP), where he led a statewide initiative to combat violent crime.
Chief Schmitz has received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Medal of Honor, four Medals of Valor, two Medals of Merit, the Blue Star Medal (Purple Heart), and the Command Leadership Medal.
Beyond his professional achievements, Chief Schmitz is deeply committed to community service and mentorship. He actively participates in various community outreach programs and advocates for youth engagement in construction activities.