The ranks of the Illinois State Police (ISP) grew stronger today as 20 new troopers from Cadet Classes 144 and 145 received their badges at a graduation ceremony. According to an official release by the ISP, these troopers are set to report to their respective posts across the Prairie State this coming Monday, swelling the numbers of the ISP force under Governor JB Pritzker and Director Brendan F. Kelly to a robust 503 since 2019.
Pritzker lauded the increase in the force's numbers, proclaiming, "Communities across the state will be safer thanks to the service of these men and women," in a statement celebrating the newest graduates' induction into public service, while ISP Director Kelly echoed this sentiment, eagerly looking forward to "the work these dedicated men and women will do to protect the public" as reported by the ISP. The newly minted officers are part of a wider strategic expansion plan under the current administration.
The training of these troopers was stringent and multifaceted; Cadet Class 144 underwent a rigorous 28-week program, while Cadet Class 145, composed of already experienced officers, completed an 11-week Lateral Entry Academy class. Both academies covered a broad curriculum that included pivotal topics such as Cultural Diversity, Procedural Justice, and De-escalation Tactics, as detailed on the ISP's website announcement.
Following academy training, all troopers are further refined through a 14-week mentoring program pairing them with experienced Field Training Officers—the kind of hands-on preparation that transitions them from theory to the pragmatics of day-to-day patrol duty.
Assignments for the new officers span across the state, with 11 heading to Chicago's Troop 3, while others find their place from Moline's Troop 2 to Effingham's Troop 9. The state police encourage those interested in joining their ranks to visit the Illinois State Police Merit Board website for more information on applications.
