Southern Illinois News

In a recent Facebook post, Illinois state Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) shared information regarding a recent structural shift within the Illinois State Police (ISP).

"ISP said the new patrol structure will allow the organization to better meet the needs of the public while combating a shortage of law enforcement officers across the country," he said in the post.

ISP elaborated on the rationale behind the structural change in its own recent Facebook post.

"On January 1, 2023, ISP reorganized from 21 patrol Districts across the state to 11 patrol Troops," the post said. "The establishment of these Troops will allow ISP to refine its focus on violent crimes, continue its mission to reduce traffic fatalities, and schedule officers to respond to calls for service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The mission of patrol, the heart of the ISP, began with 8 men on World War One motorcycles, and today, for the fifth time in a century, the men and women on patrol are evolving yet again, rising to meet the demands of our time."

In his post, Jacobs attached a link to a recent Herald-Whig article that focused and elaborated on the new changes.

"This modernization enables ISP officers to more efficiently engage in areas of greatest need, with high crash or crime rates, and drug trafficking," ISP Director Brendan Kelly said in the article. "This model also puts ISP patrol on equal footing with other state patrols based on crime, population, and crash data analysis, rather than outdated habits or practices."

As a part of the reorganization, ISP troops will be identified with new license plates that will be attached to vehicles beginning on March 1, a recent WREX article said. The new plates are tributes to fallen officers, with each one featuring images of the state's seal, saluting troopers and Illinois' landscape.

“We thank all of our State Police officers across Illinois for their service and sacrifice,” Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias told WREX. “This plate pays special tribute to officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice while in the line of duty. Our hearts remain with the families and loved ones of these officers who devoted their lives to protecting their communities. Their bravery and dedication will never be forgotten.”