West Cook News

FOIA Request to Melrose Park Police Department regarding active employee roster on November 13, 2025.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Melrose Park Police Department by West Cook News, a media organization focused on local governmental affairs. The request seeks access to various records that detail the current employees of the police department. Specifically, the requested information includes any roster, directory, staffing list, payroll record, or personnel summary that identifies all current employees.

The request outlines specific details for each employee that should be included if available in existing records: name, job title or rank, sex or gender (if present), date of hire or appointment, and age or year of birth (only if included in public-facing records). If multiple versions of such rosters exist—such as HR rosters, payroll rosters, sworn-officer rosters, and civilian-staff rosters—the most recent version of each is requested.

West Cook News emphasizes its role in gathering and reporting news to the public as part of its commitment to transparency and accountability in public institutions. As a media professional involved in disseminating information to the public, they have requested a fee waiver under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

The requester is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization that aids media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through FOIA and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found at this link.

Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.