(50 ILCS 705/) Illinois Police Training Act
Illinois State University Police Officers received their State mandated training at the State Police Academy, in Springfield, Illinois. This training is mandated by Illinois Statute which you may read about below.
(50 ILCS 705/) Illinois Police Training Act
(50 ILCS 705/1) (from Ch. 85, par. 501) Sec. 1. It is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination that in order to promote and protect citizen health, safety and welfare, it is necessary and in the public interest to provide for the creation of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board for the purpose of encouraging and aiding municipalities, counties, park districts, State controlled universities, colleges, and public community colleges, and other local governmental agencies of this State and participating State agencies in their efforts to raise the level of law enforcement by upgrading and maintaining a high level of training and standards for law enforcement executives and officers, county corrections officers, sheriffs, county coroners, and law enforcement support personnel under this Act. It is declared to be the responsibility of the board to ensure the required participation of the pertinent local governmental units in the programs established under this Act, to encourage the voluntary participation of other local governmental units and participating State agencies, to set standards, develop and provide quality training and education, and to aid in the establishment of adequate training facilities.
(Source: P.A. 88-586, eff. 8-12-94.)The curriculum for probationary police officers which shall be offered by all certified schools shall include but not be limited to courses of arrest, search and seizure, civil rights, human relations, cultural diversity, including racial and ethnic sensitivity, criminal law, law of criminal procedure, vehicle and traffic law including uniform and non-discriminatory enforcement of the Illinois Vehicle Code, traffic control and accident investigation, techniques of obtaining physical evidence, court testimonies, statements, reports, firearms training, first-aid (including cardiopulmonary resuscitation), handling of juvenile offenders, recognition of mental conditions which require immediate assistance and methods to safeguard and provide assistance to a person in need of mental treatment, law of evidence, the hazards of high-speed police vehicle chases with an emphasis on alternatives to the high-speed chase, and physical training. The curriculum shall include specific training in techniques for immediate response to and investigation of cases of domestic violence and of sexual assault of adults and children. The curriculum shall also include a block of instruction aimed at identifying and interacting with persons with autism and other developmental disabilities, reducing barriers to reporting crimes against persons with autism, and addressing the unique challenges presented by cases involving victims or witnesses with autism and other developmental disabilities.
The Basic Law Enforcement Officer's Training is 480 hours and prepares trainees for the performance of their duties as Illinois local law enforcement officers. Instructional units for this course include those topical areas listed above as well as additional units. Evaluations are made on the basis of written examinations, performance in field practical exercises (Physical Training, Control and Arrest Tactics, and Firearms), classroom participation, and behavior. Students must achieve an overall academic average of 70 percent and successfully demonstrate skills during practical exercises. To obtain certification from the Board, students must also achieve a minimum score of 70 percent on a comprehensive examination.
After graduation from the police academy, new recruits begin 14-16 weeks of on-the-job training in the Department with a certified Field Training Officer (FTO). Field Training Officers instruct, guide, and nurture new recruits through their field training. The final stage of their on-the-job training occurs when the recruit takes over the activity on the street and their FTO shadows them while providing guidance, encouragement, and corrective action as necessary. Recruits receive ongoing feedback as to their progress throughout the training. Even newly hired officers with prior law enforcement experience must go through the field training period, the length of which depends upon their experience and their performance. The final evaluation of each new officer is conducted by the FTOs, Sergeants, and command staff. If a new officer successfully passes all phases of field training, they are considered a fully functional member of the Illinois State University Police Department.
Officer's training does not stop upon completion of the Police Academy or even the Department's field (on-the-job) training . The Department is a member of our local Mobile Training Unit (MTU8) which provides training for local law enforcement officers. Officer's are sent to training at our MTU8 regularly for updates on criminal law, search and seizure, CPR/First aid, Cultural Diversity, drug investigations, hazardous materials, terrorism, defensive tactics, and interview and interrogation skills, leadership as well as, many other specialty courses brought in from time to time. Our Bike Patrol officer's all receive training through the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA). We have a Sergeant who is on the IPMBA Board of Directors and serves as the organizations training coordinator.
