Nearly 60 Illinois police officers graduate into leadership roles through cost-free training program

ILLINOIS ( 25News Now ) -Fifty-seven newly-appointed police and deputy chiefs from departments across Illinois officially graduated from the Chief of Police Orientation Program Friday morning.

The program is called, 'Enduring, Surviving, and Thriving as a Law Enforcement Executive in the 21st Century,' and it was held at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria, located at 100 Conference Center Dr.

The training is a free four-day course that is meant to prepare incoming officers with the concepts, strategies, and insights needed for success in their new roles.

Heather Hotz, the director of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board , said building meaningful relationships is crucial to the nearly officers graduating into this new leadership role.

"Networking is one of the biggest components of this program. We always try to incorporate a networking piece to all of our trainings, because I feel like you can learn just as much from each other as you can from the speaker," said Hotz. "Additionally, it may be that person sitting next to you."

Deputy Chief Jason Ernst previously worked as a detective sergeant for the East Peoria Police Department. He said there is always room to grow.

"Communication with your personnel and community is probably the most important," said Ernst. "Listening to the feedback that your personnel gives, the input your community gives and how to best serve them, I think that's probably the biggest facet of it."

Hotz agreed, saying a good police chief or deputy chief is a good communicator who is willing to adapt to changes.