Ottawa Police Department and Ottawa Central Dispatch
The Ottawa Police Department has been proudly serving the citizens of Ottawa since 1853, protecting the people and the property of Ottawa, Illinois. In January of 2025, Chief Michael Cheatham was appointed as the new Chief of Police, renewing the department’s mission.
The Ottawa Police Department currently consists of 39 sworn police officers. Of those personnel, the Administrative Team consists of the Chief of Police along with a Captain of Patrol and a Captain of Investigations. Five officers are assigned to the Detective Division, three are assigned to support the Ottawa school system as School Resource Officers, one officer is assigned to a multi-jurisdictional task force, and the remaining 28 officers are assigned to the Patrol Division.
Ottawa Central Dispatch consists of 17 non-sworn civilian staff members, which include twelve full-time telecommunicators, three in the records office, one in parking enforcement, and one who serves as the Telecommunications Supervisor.
It is the mission of the Ottawa Police Department:
- To provide law enforcement services with integrity and dedication.
- To preserve life, property, and the individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States.
- To work in partnership with citizen groups and the community as a whole to enhance the quality of life in the City of Ottawa.
- To prevent the commission of criminal acts when possible and to fully investigate crimes when they occur and apprehend the criminal offenders.
- To earn the respect of the citizens of Ottawa and all individuals by maintaining a professional, knowledgeable and well-trained police force which is recognized for its fairness, tolerance and equality in the discharge of its law enforcement duties.