Police Department

The Wilmette Police Department was established in 1886 when the Wilmette Village Board of Trustees adopted an ordinance providing that the President and Board of Trustees would serve as police officers, along with any additional officers appointed by the Board.

In the early years police officers were responsible to see that roaming domestic animals were kept off the sidewalks and that foraging cows did not enter stores and consume the green vegetables. They also were present at dances, picnics, celebrations and other public events.

The Wilmette Police Department today provides a full range of law enforcement services, responding to nearly 20,000 calls each year. The Wilmette Police Department has 46 sworn officers and 21 civilian employees. Sworn personnel include the following: Chief of Police, 2 Deputy Chiefs, 3 Commanders, 6 Sergeants, and 34 Police Officers.

In 1986 the Wilmette Police Department became the 3rd agency in Illinois and the 29th nationwide to earn accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, making it a leader in receiving this professional recognition.. Since 1991 the Wilmette Police have required a four year college degree at the entry level and today is in the upper 1% nationwide in Officer education.

Wilmette Officers enjoy comprehensive in-service training programs. Training is a priority and is managed in a way that is sensitive to both the needs of the department and the career interests of the individual. Officers receive over 100 hours of training per year.

Full time assignments in the department exist in patrol, criminal and juvenile investigations, traffic, community relations/crime prevention, research and development and D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). Additionally, specialized assignments within patrol include evidence technician, regional emergency services team (S.W.A.T.), field training officer, firearms instructor, DUI specialist, emergency vehicle operations instructor and traffic accident reconstruction.

Questions & Suggestions

If you have any questions, suggestions or comments for the Wilmette Police Department, please E-mail them to police@wilmette.com (E-mail checked Monday - Friday, 9am -5pm).  Please note that we are NOT able to provide patches or other police accessory items.