Ill. State Police Academy welcomes cadet class

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Police is welcoming its new cadet class.

Fifty-five cadets arrived to the academy in Springfield on Sunday. They will undergo 25 weeks of physical training and classroom instruction.

Training Academy Commander Kevin Poehls says the cadets will be physically, emotionally and intellectually challenged and made to understand the basic principles of law enforcement.

The state police requires cadets to stay overnight at the academy five days a week. They will receive classes in terrorism awareness, criminal law and motor carrier safety, among other topics.

The academy’s curriculum also includes cross-cultural awareness and diversity training to give cadets an insight into the different communities they’ll eventually serve.

Cadets will join the state police as probationary troopers upon completing training in July.