Cadet Class 154b

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The deadline to apply for Cadet Class 154b: In-House Lateral Training Program is February 1, 2026.

Lateral In-House Training Program

The Illinois State Police (ISP) is seeking applicants in geographically selected locations across the state for Cadet Class 154b as part of the Lateral (In-House) Training Program. This program provides an opportunity for current certified police officers to become Illinois State Troopers through participation in an accelerated training program.

The Lateral (In-house) Training Program is approximately 14 weeks. Cadets will report to the Illinois State Police Academy for the duration of the class, and will go home each weekend. Cadet Class 154b cadets will receive Trooper 1 pay while attending the ISP Academy ($7,313/month, as of 7/1/2025).

Cadet Class 154b is tentatively scheduled to begin on September 13, 2026.

Upon graduation, all Cadet Class 154b cadets will be required to reside within Illinois and one of the counties specified by the Illinois State Police. The Cadet Class 154b selected geographic locations include:

Troop 1: Boone, Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago

Troop 2: Bureau, Henry, LaSalle, Mercer, Putnam, and Rock Island

Troop 3: Cook, DuPage, DeKalb, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will

Troop 4: Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, Marshall, McDonough, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, and Woodford

Troop 5: DeWitt, Ford, Iroquois, Kankakee, Livingston, and McLean

Troop 7: Champaign, Coles, Douglas, Edgar, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby, and Vermilion

Troop 8: Bond, Clinton, Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Montgomery, Monroe, St. Clair, and Washington

Troop 9: Clark, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Hamilton, Jasper, Lawrence, Marion, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TROOP MAP

Residency questions should be directed to Illinois State Police Academy Commander, Captain Jeffery Yenchko, at Jeffrey.Yenchko@illinois.gov

Lateral In-House Training Program Eligibility

1. Must be currently serving as a full-time, certified police officer, having graduated from an accredited law enforcement academy.

Qualifying Military Police must have successfully completed a Basic Military Police Course:
- United States Army
- United States Marine Corps
- United States Air Force
- United States Navy
Qualifying Department of Army (DA) Civilian Police must have successfully completed the U.S. Army Civilian Police Academy

(Illinois Department of Corrections experience does not apply towards eligibility. However, it will apply towards retirement.)

2. Must have at least two years of experience while employed as a full-time sworn police officer.

(Applicants who do not have 2 years experience at the time of the application may still be considered if they will have completed 2 years by September 13, 2026.)

3. Must provide documentation of successful completion of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) / International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) approved DWI/DUI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing training program by September 13, 2026.

4. Must meet all pre-employment requirements and standards established by the ISP Merit Board and successfully complete the Cadet Applicant process.

Applicants are responsible for providing documentation supporting their qualifications which include the following when applicable:

Law Enforcement Officer Certification
Basic Military Police Course Certificate
U.S. Army Civilian Police Academy Certificate showing successful completion of military police training at a federal service school, years of service as documented on a DD-214 Long Form, and any additional police schooling/training applicant may have completed.

DO I QUALIFY FOR THE LATERAL (IN-HOUSE) TRAINING PROGRAM?

I am currently serving as a full-time, certified police officer, and have graduated from an accredited law enforcement academy.

Yes

You have 1 Selected options left.

Based on your answers, you do not meet the requirements.

I have at least two years of experience while employed as a full-time sworn police officer.

Yes

You have 1 Selected options left.

Based on your answers, you do not meet the requirements.

I have successfully completed the NHTSA/IACP approved DWI/DUI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing program.

Yes

You have 1 Selected options left.

Based on your answers, you do not meet the requirements.

I meet all pre-employment requirements and standards established by the ISP Merit Board.

Yes

You have 1 Selected options left.

Based on your answers, you do not meet the requirements.

According to your answers, you meet the requirements for the ISP In-House Lateral Training Program.

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NOT LATERAL ELIGIBLE?

The Illinois State Police Merit Board will publish information regarding the next traditional Cadet Class at a later date. Sign-up below to be notified of the next traditional class.