The Holiday Hills police chief, who also worked as an officer for Prairie Grove, was arrested for allegedly using law enforcement databases, including license plate reader data, for personal use.
William C. Copp, 54, of Crystal Lake, was charged with two counts of official misconduct, a Class 3 felony.
Prairie Grove Chief of Police Michael Goins said his department began an investigation in November into Copp.
Copp, who was working at the time as a part-time Prairie Grove police officer, was accused of misusing police databases.
Copp is also the Chief of Police for the Village of Holiday Hills.
Goins said the investigation determined that Copp conducted numerous searches unrelated to any official law enforcement investigation.
He is accused of performing the searches for personal purposes, Goins said.
The databases included the Illinois State Police LEADS database and an automated license plate reader system.
LEADS is a statewide electronic system operated by the Illinois State Police, connecting nearly all local police departments and various state agencies.
Goins said Copp has since been terminated from his position as a part-time police officer with the Prairie Grove Police Department.
The case was reviewed by the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Prairie Grove Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for Copp on the official misconduct charges.
The department conducted a traffic stop on Copp around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and took him into custody.
He was transported to the McHenry County Jail on the warrant and turned over to jail staff.
Copp was hired as a police officer with the Holiday Hills Police Department in January 2022 and named chief in January 2025.
Copp is expected to appear for an Initial Appearance Court hearing on Thursday afternoon.