Joshua Sims has been a Rockford Police officer since June 2016.

Before June in 2016, Sims and Cory Magnuson were named in an excessive force and personal injury lawsuit as Metro Enforcement Agents.

The lawsuit alleged a Rockford community member was walking home on Birch court when he was stopped by metro Enforcement Agents Magnuson and Sims.

Sims demanded an ID while Magnuson searched the man.

A “stop and frisk.”

The community member provided an ID while Magnuson continued the pat down.

The man reportedly asked why they were harassing him to which the metro agents responded “Shut the fuck up.”

When the man asked again, Sims and Magnuson slammed the man onto the hood of their Metro car, pepper sprayed him, then slammed him to the ground.

The agents then put the man in handcuffs and called the Rockford Police to arrest him.

Since no crime was committed - and no illegal items were found - the victim was taken to the hospital and released from police custody.

On May 30th, 2020, Sims was assigned to monitor the first protest in Rockford following the murder of George Floyd.

Sims was a part of the “skirmish line” that was directed to push protestors from District 1.

During one advance of the “skirmish line” Sims, who was in full tactical gear, slammed a nonviolent protestor that was standing alone on the front lawn at District 1 to the ground.

The protestor was arrested but their charges would eventually be dismissed.

In a later incident Sims shot four bean bag rounds into the stomach and arm of a protestor.

The individual was not arrested.

In September of 2020, Sims was charged with aggravated domestic battery, unlawful restraint, criminal damage to property and a DUI.

The allegations were that Sims broke down a door, choked a woman and shoved her into a car.

Sims plead guilty to one count DUI. He was placed on 12 months supervision.

All other charges dismissed.

In 2019, Sims made $66,209 in salary + $2,765 in overtime = $68,974 + $8,060 in health insurance + $30,497 pension pay.

In 2020, they made $78,322 in salary + $3,500 in overtime = $81,822 + $8,385 in health insurance + $33,025 in pension pay.

In 2021, they made $84,346 in salary + $80 in overtime = $84,426 + $8,060 in health insurance + $34,932 in pension pay.

In 2022, they made $82,060 in salary + $35,001 in overtime = $117,061 + $8,450 in health insurance + $39,700 in pension pay.

In 2023, they made $91,563 in salary + $27,721 in overtime = $119,284 + $8,450 in health insurance + $46,059 in pension pay.

In 2024, they made $87,951 in salary + $47,538 in overtime = $135,489 + $26,325 in health insurance + $52,059 in pension pay.

If you or anyone you know has been abused, harassed or otherwise mistreated by this officer please email us with the officers name in the subject.