No, we are not law enforcement officers. We are the Invisible Institute, a nonprofit journalism organization, and you can reach us at info@invisibleinstitute.com.

Complaints are allegations of misconduct filed against a law enforcement officer, by either a citizen, a fellow officer, or their superior. This site displays information about complaints against officers in the Champaign Police Department and the Urbana Police Department. 

Complaints against the Champaign Police Department are investigated by CPD’s Office of Professional Standards, which is staffed by police officers. All the information on our site came directly from the Champaign Police Department, theCity of Champaign, and the city of Urbana. We cannot guarantee the data is accurate or complete. If the CPD or UPD did not record a complaint, we do not have that information.

Champaign Police Department policies:

• Internal Affairs Administration
• Internal Affairs – Complaint Procedures
• Office of Professional Standards
• Disciplinary Procedures

The Urbana Police Department’s Deputy Chief of Police serves as the department’s Internal Affairs Coordinator, according to UPD policy and oversees the internal investigation of complaints, which are conducted either by themselves or another supervisor.

Urbana Police Department policies:

• Personnel Complaints
• Internal Investigations
• Disciplinary Policy

For the Champaign Police Department, complaints must be submitted within 60 days of an incident either on the City of Champaign’s website, by mail, by phone, or in person at CPD headquarters (82 E. University Ave).

For Urbana, complaints must be submitted within 45 days of an incident either on the City of Urbana’s website, or physically in person at the UPD front desk (400 S. Vine St), or at the Urbana Human Relations Office (400 S. Vine St.)

Some examples of use of force include when an officer tackles or physically restrains someone, hits someone with a baton, sprays a chemical weapon, deploys a taser, or displays or shoots a firearm. Use of force is self-reported by Champaign Police officers.

Any time a Champaign Police officer uses force, the officer is required to document it by filing a report describing the incident, and including an explanation about why the officer used force. Our site displays information obtained through those reports, and so we cannot guarantee that this information reflects every time a CPD officer actually used force. If an officer did not file a report, we do not have that information.

Champaign Police Department Policy and Procedures for Use of Force