The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board announced July 9 it has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the UI to continue operating the Police Training Institute. The organizations have worked together since 1967 when the board first certified PTI as one of its law enforcement basic training academies. The new and expanded arrangement establishes PTI as a training and research institute, with the board and the university jointly guiding academic research on numerous law enforcement and criminal justice topics.
“The board is pleased to formalize and expand its role with the university to collaborate and share resources for the benefit of law enforcement and public safety,” said Brent Fischer, board chairman and Adams County sheriff.
This new partnership resulted from two years of analysis and discussion between the board, which is the state’s law enforcement training agency, and the university. The university has stressed that PTI is an important and valued component of its academic mission. The university intends to provide resources needed for the expanded academic role of PTI within the university.
“This agreement allows the Police Training Institute to continue as before, and will allow us to prioritize expenditures to meet our mandates and goals,” said Kevin McClain, the ILETSB executive director. “I look forward to working with the university to elevate and expand the scope and vision of PTI to become the premier public safety institute in the country. Without the support and hard work of University of Illinois President Robert Easter and Chancellor Phyllis Wise this venture would not have been initiated or reached such a favorable outcome. We are grateful for their leadership and efforts over many months.”
PTI will continue to function as a police academy, providing state-mandated courses in basic law enforcement and basic corrections officer curricula, as well as other advanced law enforcement training courses. Training courses have been reinstated and new courses are being scheduled.
