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Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police GOAL: The primary goal of the ILACP Voluntary Police Chief Certification (VPCC) Program is to contribute substantially to enhance police chief professionalism in the State of Illinois. This certification and re-certification process will allow for continuous professional growth and educational development. The Program is open to chiefs, deputy chiefs, commanders and all executive command staff personnel. If an individual is not a chief upon attaining Certification, the title of Certified Eligible is awarded. This Program offers an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate a higher level of competence in their profession. ELIGIBILITY: Requirements are categorized into three groupings.
THE PROCESS: Application Submission and Review Conviction History Check Certification Examination * Examination Scoring and Reporting Candidate Notification Structured Interview
*Practice exams are regularly offered and can be taken even before filing an application. It is important to realize that the goal has remained the same since its inception: we are not testing police chiefs so that we can find employment for them, but rather to allow them to strive to learn more and be more professional at what they do. Any law enforcement executive desirous of attaining the Police Chief Certification should contact Carmen Elliott, the Business Manager at ILACP, for a confidential application and the guidelines of the process. Study guide may be requested later, after eligibility has been confirmed. TO APPLY: Submit completed application along with payment to: CONTACT DETAILS: Carmen Elliott - 217.523.3765 - [email protected] The concept of voluntary police chief certification is certainly not a new one. Members of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) discussed the concept and how it might look for 15 years. The idea of voluntary police chief certification can certainly be a controversial one when you consider some of the implications of police chiefs having to meet minimum standards as well as the political climate which surrounds the appointment of such an important department head for most cities. These and many more problems and concerns of both police chiefs and city fathers caused this process of evolution to be a lengthy one.
In December of 1995, the ILACP Board of Officers decided to embark upon a Voluntary Police Chiefs Certification project. In January of 1996, a committee was formed and the process of determining the steps and requirements was begun. Goals were established and the committee then focused on determining the benefits to candidates and the profession; possible components of a certification system; a process for certification; barriers to an effective certification program; and a tentative time schedule for completion. A 1996 survey of ILACP members indicated 88% agreed that a voluntary certification process was in fact a good idea. After 30 months of rigorous analysis and ILACP executive level and legal review, the ILACP Voluntary Police Chief Certification process was completed.
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