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Police Training Institute Still Possible for Macomb

The head of a state panel on police officer training now says facilities in Macomb and Urbana can co-exist. 

It appeared the facility at the University of Illinois was about to close this summer. But the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board said Monday July 9 that it has come to an agreement with the U of I to keep that facility’s doors open.

Executive Director Kevin McClain said U of I President Robert Easter initiated talks with members of the board to explain the role of its Police Training Institute, repairing a relationship he described as "dormant."

A facility in the works at Western Illinois University was once seen as a replacement for the U of I’s.  Despite the change with the U of I, McClain said plans in Macomb are moving forward.

“As far as I’m concerned, nothing has changed as far as Western is concerned. Western is apparently going to take a little time, you know, these are tough economic times.  But I don’t see any changes other than that," McClain said.

The Urbana training center was set to close after the Standards Board decertified classes, and the U of I’s board of trustees was originally schedule to vote on its closure.

But McClain said the Police Training Institute in Urbana should be accepting new cadets in the fall. He also expects it to start working in new areas of study such as computer science and psychology.

Thanks to Jeff Bossert of Illinois Public Media

 

Rich is TSPR's News Director.