Founded in 1856, DeKalb forms the western anchor of the I-88 corridor. It is 60 miles from downtown Chicago and 30 miles southeast of Rockford. As the home of Northern Illinois University, Illinois' second largest university, DeKalb is the site of a wide variety of special events and cultural activities.
Police services in the city date to 1885 with the founding of the first official police department. Today, our authorized 65 sworn officers providing police protection to a city of 44,030 residents and a land area of approximately 15.5 square miles. The members of the DeKalb Police Department are committed to reducing crime and enhancing the quality of life through an active partnership with our community.
As you explore this site, it is the department's hope that you will become increasingly aware of the services and information available through the DeKalb Police Department. you can also view the department's new website here.
A city where our families, businesses, and culture prosper in an environment in which all people are treated with dignity, equity, and respect.