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Matthew Summers

Chief of Police

Chief of Police
Matthew Summers

320 West Exchange Street
Freeport, IL 61032-4188

Office Hours:
Mon – Fri 8:00 a.m –5:00 p.m.

Phone:
For Emergencies: Dial 911
Non Emergencies: 815-235-8222
Detective Bureau: 815-235-8226
Juvenile Division: 815-235-8228
Records Bureau: 815-235-8229

Chief Matthew Summers was sworn in as Chief of Police of the Freeport Police Department on November 12, 2019.

Chief Summers joined the department in March 1995, taking on various roles within the Freeport Park District Police, FHN Security, Elderly Service, Alcohol Enforcement, Auxiliary Police Command, Emergency Response Team, Street Crimes Unit, and the Detective Bureau from 1995 – 2009.  He was promoted to Shift Corporal in 2009, Shift Sergeant in 2012, Administrative Lieutenant in 2013, Operations Lieutenant in 2014 and served in that capacity until he was promoted to Deputy Chief of Police in 2015.

Chief Summers is a graduate of Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois, where he earned his Master’s in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration.  He is also a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy.

Police Department Address: 320 W. Exchange Freeport, IL 61032

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Freeport Police Department’s mission is to provide and maintain a safe living and working environment for the citizens of Freeport through the reduction of crime and the protection of citizens through effective and efficient law enforcement.

Every year, on average, the Freeport Police Department;

  • handles 35,000 incidents,
  • files over 4,800 written reports,
  • issues 3,000 traffic citations,
  • files 1,000 accident reports,
  • makes 2,800 arrests, and
  • responds to over 4,000 9-1-1 calls

The patrol shifts work 12 hour tours of duty comprised of a Sergeant, a Corporal, and our patrolmen. Specialty positions within the department consist of:

  • Detectives
  • Canine officers
  • Drug enforcement officers assigned to SLANT
  • School resource officer
  • Community Policing unit

The men and women of the Freeport Police Department are committed to providing efficient, professional police services to the citizens of Freeport, and are dedicated to promoting a partnership between the community and law enforcement that maximizes the strengths each has to offer in a concerted effort to reduce crime and minimize public safety risks.

The Freeport Police Department encourages members of our community to become involved in our efforts to prevent crime and resolve issues or problems of concern. Everyone plays an important part in helping to make our city safe, beautiful, and a great place to live, work, and play. If you have a tip, please contact the Freeport Police Department, Stateline Area Crime Stoppers, or Crime Stop of Stephenson County.

Thank you for your support of the Freeport Police Department. Without the commitment and partnership of our citizens, we would be ineffective in our mission

DID YOU KNOW?

The Freeport Police Department was started in 1883 with the first Police Chief being appointed at that time. Prior to that, from 1855 to 1883, Freeport’s law enforcement was an elected City Marshall. The department was originally located in City Hall and in 1975 moved to the current location, which was previously the location of the county jail and then the First Ward school.

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