Sterling Police Dept

Sterling's Police Department in Illinois began moving to community policing in 1991 and now has two aims: working with residents and city government to improve daily life in Sterling, and paying close attention to the city's young people. Officers are hired through the city's Fire and Police Commission, and candidates go through a written test, an oral interview, a background and character investigation, a polygraph and psychological and medical exams. A volunteer chaplain program draws pastors from local churches who rotate weekly on-call duty and ride along with officers; they counsel domestic violence victims, respond after traumatic events and deliver death notifications. The department takes part in Whiteside County Crimestoppers, a countywide program that offers anonymity and cash rewards for tips that lead to the capture of fugitives, and it publishes crime prevention guides on auto theft, burglary, robbery, child and internet safety, drug awareness and personal security. Crash reports cost $5 in person or online, police reports are requested through the Illinois Freedom of Information Act with copy fees set under 5 ILCS 140/6, and alarm permits, false alarms, administrative vehicle storage and sex offender registration each carry a set fee.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Sterling city, IL has an estimated population of 14,670.