Police Department

Mission Statement

The fundamental mission of the Burr Ridge Police Department is to work closely with the Community to prevent Crime and disorder, and to enhance the safety of its citizens.

In support of this mission, recognition of these nine principles is essential.

1. The prevention of Crime and maintenance of order is the primary goal of the department, while vigorously pursuing those who commit serious crimes. The department will provide comprehensive traffic law enforcement based upon the traffic safety requirements of the community.

2. It is important to ensure and maintain public respect, as public approval of the police is essential to the fulfillment of their mission.

3. To maintain public respect and approval means also securing the willing cooperation of the public in observing the law.

4. The extent to which the cooperation of the public is secured diminishes proportionately the necessity of the use of force and compulsion for achieving police objectives.

5. Preserving public favor does not imply pandering to public opinion, but requires absolute impartial service in law, the ready offering of individual service and friendship to all members of the public without regard to their wealth or social standing, the exercise of courtesy and good humor, and offering individual sacrifice in protecting and preserving life.

6. Physical force may only be used when persuasion, advise and warning is found to be insufficient to obtain public cooperation in restoring order; and only the minimum degree of necessary force is acceptable.

7. It is necessary to maintain at all times a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public, and the public are the police; working together for the community welfare.

8. Recognize always the need for strict adherence to police - executive functions, realizing that the police are only one essential component of the Criminal Justice System, not empowered to usurp authority from the others.

9. We must recognize always that the test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, and not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with them.

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Staffing & Services

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Bicycle Patrol Program:

The Police Department Bicycle Patrol Program was inaugurated in July of 1997. Eight officers are presently assigned to the unit and provide extended patrols throughout the community during all shifts, as required. The program is intended to provide an extended, high visibility police presence on pathways, in parks, in commercial areas and at various special events. The program, an example of the Department's commitment to reach out into the community to provide both Crime prevention and problem-solving, is modeled after successful bicycle patrols in other communities. When you see officers on bicycle patrol, please welcome them to your neighborhood.

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Police Records

Located in the Police Department, 7660 S. County Line Road

The Police Records Division is responsible for the management and coordination of police records. This includes all police reports, accidents and citations.

The Records Division is open to the public 12 hours per day, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00am to 8:00pm.

Police reports may be filed at any time. Either call 911 for an officer to report to your residence or place of business, or use the red phone outside the front door to connect with the dispatch center.

The Administrative Phone line (630) 323-8181 may be used during business hours, or to contact the police after hours mailbox. Your call will be answered at the first available opportunity during non-business hours. Do not use this line to report an emergency situation! Please Dial 9-1-1 for any situation which requires a police officer to respond to the scene!

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Obtaining Police Reports

Requests for police reports should be made in person at the Burr Ridge Police Department Records Section.

Copies of most accident reports are available upon request. These reports are free to Village Residents and at 18 cents per page to non-residents.

Copies of accident reports involving reconstruction of the accident are available at a cost of $25 each after the reconstruction is complete.

Copies of accident reports involving crimes or deaths are subject to the rules cited under the Freedom of Information Act (Illinois Compiled Statutes, 5 ILCS 140/1-7).

Other types of reports may be obtained by filing a Freedom of Information (FOIA) request. These reports will be released according to the provisions outline in the Act. The cost for these reports is 18 cents per page. The Chief of Police reviews all reports released under the FOIA.

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Crime Prevention Programs

BE INVOLVED AND HELP US TAKE A BITE OUT OF CRIME

The Burr Ridge Police Department stresses a pro-active, preventive philosophy which directly involves citizens in crime prevention strategies. A Crime Prevention Specialist is now available to assist citizens with home and business security surveys and neighborhood watch programs. Police personnel may be scheduled to provide crime prevention information which may deter criminal activity and enhance personal security. For further information regarding crime prevention programs, contact Officer Zucchero at 323-8181.

Neighborhood Watch

The Neighborhood Watch program not only enhances prevention, but it also provides an opportunity for citizens to learn more about their Police Department. Homeowners groups and other community groups involved in Neighborhood Watch are provided with crime prevention information; residents make a commitment to the safety of their neighborhood, reporting suspicious activity to the Police Department.

Crimestoppers

Help the Burr Ridge Police Department combat crime by reporting suspicious activity. Click here to visit our CRIMESTOPPERS page and find out how you can help.

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Curfew

Under Village Ordinance, persons under 18 are subject to curfew restrictions between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and between midnight and 6 a.m. on weekends. Under state curfew restrictions, persons under 17 years of age in violation of curfew are also subject to suspension of driving privileges. Please know where your teens are going and with whom.

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Bicycle Regulations

Bicyclists using Village streets must observe the same rules-of-the-road that apply to driving an automobile. It's best to walk bicycles across streets. We recommend that bicyclists wear helmets for safety.  Please note that the Village Code states that bicyclists are not intended users of the sidewalks.  In other words, Village sidewalks were not designed to accommodate bicyclists and anyone riding his/her bicycle on the sidewalk should use caution.

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Project DARE

The Burr Ridge Police Department DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program is recognized as a very successful drug prevention strategy which involves the Police Department and our local schools in a combined effort to positively influence our youngsters. The 17 week program emphasizes helping students to recognize and resist pressures which tend to influence experimentation with drugs and alcohol. DARE officers focus on developing self-esteem, interpersonal and communication skills and decision making abilities on the part of students. They also offer healthy alternatives to drug abuse behavior.  Click here to visit the Village's DARE web page.

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Street Gang Awareness

The street gang awareness program is part of our general crime prevention strategy of providing necessary information to our citizens. The program advises parents and teachers of area street gangs, their signs, dress and behavior in order to better prepare them to address gang-related issues. While Burr Ridge is certainly not a gang infested community, the Police Department takes a pro-active stance on gangs as they have moved from Chicago into the suburbs.

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Homeland Security Threat Level

	The level is currently:
	Questions ? Click Here.  Or go to www.ready.gov

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Illinois Child Passenger Protection Act

Effective January 1, 2004

Public Act #83-8, The Child Passenger Protection Act, has been in effect in Illinois since July 1, 1983.  The law, amended effective January 1, 2004, requires anyone who transports children in Illinois in non-commercial vehicles to do so in the following manner:

• Children under the age of eight years must be secured in an appropriate child restraint system, more commonly called a child safety seat.  Child safety sears include infant seats, convertible seats (rear-facing for infants and forward-facing for toddlers) and booster seats that are used with the vehicle lap and shoulder belt system.

• Children weighing more than 40 pounds must be transported in the back seat of a motor vehicle while wearing only a lap belt if the back seat is not equipped with a lap and shoulder belt system.

• Children and young people eight and up to 16 years of age must be secured in a properly adjusted safety belt in any position in the vehicle.

• The parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of eight years is responsible fore providing a child safety seat to anyone who transports his or her child.

• Every person under the age of 18 years who transports a child eight years of age or older (up to 18 years) is responsible for securing that child in a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt or child safety seat.

Those found in violation of the law the first time will be fined $50, which is waived upon proof of possession of an approved safety seat.  Subsequent violations are punished by a $100 fine.

Children with physical disabilities that prevent the use of standard safety seats are exempt from the provisions of the law if the disability is duly certified by a physician. 

This information is provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety, located at 3215 Executive Park Drive, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9245, (21&) 785-3038.

Citizen Complaint or Comment Guidelines

It is the policy of the Burr Ridge Police Department to accept and investigate all complaints against departmental employees and/or policies, procedures or operations.  Accepting positive citizen commentary provides us a way to gauge our working relationship with the residents of Burr Ridge.  If you wish to file a complaint or provide some positive commentary on our employees and/or services, please follow the following guidelines:

1. You may request by telephone or in person to speak to the on-duty watch commander 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

2. During normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) you may request to speak to the Deputy Chief (630-323-8181). 

3. All complaints are documented and investigated and a written record made of the finding and resolution.  You will be advised of the final outcome of the investigation.

4. You will be asked to fill out and sign an affidavit detailing the circumstances regarding your complaint.

5. Positive commentary, whether written or verbal, will be forwarded through the appropriate channels.

This procedure is designed to provide for a fair and equitable resolution to citizen complaints against the department or any of its members and document positive comments regarding our performance.  If you have any questions regarding this process please call the Police Department at 630-323-8181 for further information.

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Copyright © 1997 Village of Burr Ridge
Jerry C. Sapp, Webmaster, jsapp@burr-ridge.gov
Last modified: February 08, 2006