Chatham Police Department

Chatham Police Department is the village police force for Chatham in Sangamon County, Illinois. The department's own history traces it from a town-constable arrangement to a force led by an assistant chief and finally to one headed by a chief of police. In earlier years every village trustee held a police commission and could carry a sidearm. When the village had about 5,000 residents it employed four officers, only one full-time, and calls were dispatched through the Sangamon County Sheriff's dispatch center. Residents once dialed a seven-digit number to reach the on-duty officer, and a car horn would sound until the officer answered. Growth since then has expanded the department, which now offers crime prevention and safety resources online.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Chatham village, IL has an estimated population of 14,740.