Citizen Complaint Form and Instructions - English

Citizen Complaint Form and Instructions - Spanish

If you wish to file a complaint concerning the actions of Bloomington Police Department personnel, we encourage you to:

1. Request to speak with the on duty shift supervisor.
   
   
2. If your complaint is not resolved after speaking with the on duty shift supervisor, the shift supervisor may ask you to assist him/her in completing a Citizen Complaint Form. The form has a place to list the facts of the incident and the manner in which they occurred.
   
   
3. If you do not wish to speak with a shift supervisor, you can obtain a copy of the complaint form to take with you. This form is available online, at the front desk, and in the in the lobby of the Police Department.  Additionally there are several community organizations including the NAACP, Not in Our Town, Public Safety Community Relations Board (PSCRB), and others who have access to these forms and can assist you in filling them out.
   
   
4. If you would like to file a formal complaint through the mail, obtain a form as described above or download our complaint form (English or Spanish) and mail to:
   
   

   Office of Professional Standards
   305 S. East Street
   Bloomington, IL. 61701

5. After filing a formal complaint with the department, you will be contacted by the Office of Professional Standards concerning the status of the investigation. If you have questions about your complaint or the process, you may contact the Office of Professional Standards during regular business hours at (309) 434-2350.

How long will the investigation take?

Each person who makes a formal complaint against a police officer or employee of the department will be advised of the final disposition of the investigation. This will generally occur within 30 days of the complaint. More complex investigations may take additional time. If so, there will be communication with the complainant in regards to the expected length of the investigation. If you have any questions regarding the internal investigation policy or procedures, please contact the Office of Professional Standards at 309-434-2350.

What will happen to the department member in question?

If, after a complete investigation, it is determined that the allegation is substantiated, the discipline will be dependent on the seriousness of the infraction. Disciplinary actions may range from an oral reprimand to suspension, or in extreme cases, termination.

Will the officer know that a complaint has been made against him or her?

The department strives to adhere to State of Illinois Statutory provisions as it pertains to sworn employees. Sworn officers are entitled to all rights and privileges afforded to them in the Uniform Peace Officer’s Disciplinary Act, 50 ILCS 725.  The act states that “no officer shall be subjected to interrogation without first being informed in writing of the nature of the investigation. The information shall be sufficient as to reasonably apprise the officer of the nature of the investigation.”

It is the policy of the Bloomington Police Department to accept, investigate, and review all complaints of either alleged misconduct or improper handling of an incident on the part of police personnel, sworn or non-sworn, as expeditiously as possible in order to gather all of the facts to substantiate the citizen's complaint or clear the employee. Individuals who file a complaint are typically notified, within one week of filing, that the formal investigation is beginning.

If you are filing a complaint and wish to obtain a police report, body-worn camera footage, or other related materials, you may submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

Under FOIA, members of the public have the right to access certain government records. This includes documents or videos that may help you better understand or support your complaint.

To request records, please visit: FOIA

If a complaint is not satisfied with the final determination by the Chief of Police, the complainant may make a request for a review by the PSCRB within 30 days from the receipt of the notice of BPD’s findings. 

The Public Service Community Relations Board (PSCRB) is citizen advisory board, made up of nine community members appointed by the mayor. It was established in 2017 with the goal of strengthening the relationship between the Bloomington Police Department and the community.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

1. Complaint Review

   • Reviews citizen appeals when someone is unsatisfied with the police department’s internal handling of their complaint.

   • Ensures the department followed proper protocols—not to re-investigate or pass judgment, but to offer oversight.

   • Holds public monthly meetings (4th Wednesday, 3:30 pm at Government Center Boardroom) and quarterly sessions for broader community input.

2. Community Outreach & Policy Feedback

   • Hosts dialogues on policing practices, like traffic stop disparities or the use of license-plate reader cameras.

   • Acts as a bridge by bringing police leaders and community voices together and helping build trust.

To learn more about the PSCRB click here: English or Spanish.

 You may also go to the PSCRB website to find out more, including upcoming meetings.