Press Release Date:
September 2, 2003
|| Archived October 1, 2003
SPRINGFIELD, IL β The Illinois State Police (ISP) accepted an award today from the Police Association for College Education (PACE) for establishing a four-year college degree requirement for all potential applicants. The requirement, effective June 1, 1999, was mandated by the ISP Merit Board which oversees the hiring of persons applying for the position of ISP Trooper, and state that an applicant must have completed, with a C average or better, one of the following education requirements:
Option 1) An Associate of Arts Degree or equivalent course work* AND 3 years of continuous full time service, as a police officer, with the same police agency.
Option 2) An Associate of Science Degree or equivalent course work* AND 3 years of continuous full time service, as a police officer, with the same police agency.
Option 3) An Associate of Applied Science Degree in Law Enforcement AND 3 years of continuous full time service, as a police officer, with the same police agency. The college or university must be accredited by one of the following associations:
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Western Association of Schools and College
Option 4) A Bachelor Degree
The award, presented to ISP Director Larry G. Trent, read, βIn recognition of advocacy, achievement and example in furtherance of police professionalism by requiring, through policy or practice, a baccalaureate degree for entry officers as recommended by National Commissions and the Federal Courts.β
