Lieutenant Matthew Davis Takes Award for Leadership in State Agency Category

Springfield – Illinois State Police (ISP) Officials are pleased to announce that the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police has named ISP Lieutenant Matthew Davis winner of the 2012 Rising Shields of Law Enforcement in the State Agency Category. 

The Rising Shields Awards are announced annually and recognize talented law enforcement professionals who have strong personal beliefs about the values of law enforcement.  The awards encourage outstanding leaders below the Deputy Chief or Lieutenant ranks to continue to advance their law enforcement careers while also developing strong leadership skills.

Retired ISP Forensics Colonel, Scott Giles, nominated Davis for his leadership in leading the development of a new CSI Law Enforcement Unit Evidence System (CLUES), which streamlined workflow and increased efficiency and accountability within the unit. 

Lieutenant Matthew Davis began his career with the Illinois State Police in 1998.  Upon completing his cadet training, Lieutenant Davis was assigned to patrol as a trooper in District Chicago.  Davis was later reassigned to the Crime Scene Services Command as a Crime Scene Investigator. 

As a Crime Scene Investigator, Lieutenant Davis investigated and processed over 1,200 felony crime scenes in the metropolitan East St. Louis area.  Lieutenant Davis holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology and History and a Master’s Degree in Biological Anthropology.  Davis’ unique ability to process crime scenes was indispensable during numerous criminal investigations involving human skeletal remains.  During his tenure as an investigator, Lieutenant Davis demonstrated exemplary leadership skills that earned him a promotion to Sergeant.    

“Lieutenant Davis has worn many hats during his law enforcement career with the Illinois State Police and his contributions to the Crime Scene Services Command are endless,” said Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau.  “His service to this Agency is a shining example for many others to follow and the Illinois State Police is proud to call him one of its own,” he added.

Having excelled as an investigator, Lieutenant Davis was later promoted to Master Sergeant and reassigned to a supervisory patrol assignment.  The assignment was brief before Lieutenant Davis’ passion for science and investigative work prompted him to return to the Crime Scene Services Command where he was reassigned as a Field Supervisor. 

As a Crime Scene Investigative Supervisor, Lieutenant Davis spearheaded several responses to violent crime investigations and crime scene reconstructions, where he provided technical guidance on the processing and collecting of physical evidence.  Davis also holds a Law Degree, and has been instrumental in the review of departmental policy and the pre-trial preparation of major cases. 

Lieutenant Matthew Davis was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on April 16, 2012, and is currently the Commander of the Crime Scene Services Command.  Davis is married to Jessica Davis and they have two young boys, Thomas and Sean.