FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
Monique Bond
October 28, 2011
312 814-8367
www.isp.state.il.us
TDD: 1-800-255-3323
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS ATTEND 27TH ANNUAL
ASSOCIATION OF BLACK LAW ENFORCEMENT (ABLE) CONFERENCE
ABLE Members Participate in Training Modules, Strategic Planning, Focused
Leadership & Financial Planning Sessions
Normal, IL -- More than 60 Illinois State Police officers gathered earlier
this month for the 27th Annual Illinois Association of Black Law
Enforcement (ABLE) Conference held at the Marriott Hotel & Conference
Center in Normal.
The Illinois Association of Black Law Enforcement (ABLE) is an organization
comprised of 180 Black Illinois State Police officers, and serves as a
valuable resource for leadership training and policing issues that affect
law enforcement. The 27th Annual Training Conference and Meeting focused
on topics selected by ABLE members: preventing bias-based policing,
strategic planning, focused leadership, interview and assessment
preparation, and financial planning.
"Every year, we strive to inform our members about the issues that have a
direct impact on black officers within the ranks so that they are provided
with the tools and knowledge for successful policing," said Master Sergeant
Danyelle Foster, President of the Illinois ABLE Chapter. "Lieutenants and
above are always eager to hear the concerns of lower ranking officers," she
added.
Many of the officers expressed interest in the selected topics and greeted
new leaders. The meeting also served as an opportunity for newly promoted
officers to be recognized and congratulated by their peers.
"We identified relevant topics for officers of all ranks to strengthen
their knowledge base," said Foster. "This ultimately benefits the ISP as
an agency with more well-rounded and focused officers serving every
community."
Officers of various ranks and experience arrived from different areas of
the state to participate in workshops to enhance their professional
development. Thomas Wheeler, ISP Senior Policy Advisor, represented ISP
Director Hiram Grau, and commended the organizers and associations like
ABLE. "Organizations like NOBLE and ABLE support minority officers and
provides them with the resources and tools they need to be successful law
enforcement leaders and administrators," he said.
"I thought it was inspiring to see some of our upper command come out to
teach at the training and share their own personal experiences," said
Master Sergeant Christy White.
Particular attention was given to the importance of career development and
education, being a mentor/protégé, and career diversity. Officers
participated in mock assessments and interviews to improve their
communications and leadership skills.
"For myself, as a Trooper with two years of experience, the ABLE training
was useful in helping me to begin the process of thinking about my personal
career development," said Trooper Javaris Pratt.
"The Annual ABLE Conference provides an excellent opportunity for black
officers to gain knowledge, expand their careers, and meet other officers
and ISP leaders," said Foster. Foster stressed that the conference was
successful, and that many goals were achieved through educating,
enlightening, and empowering officers.
Danyelle Foster photo Thomas
Wheeler photo
(See attached file: 2011 ABLE Training 033.JPG) (See attached
file: 10_7_2011 10_07 AM_0001.jpg) (See attached file: 10_7_2011
10_07 AM_0002.jpg) (See attached file: 10_7_2011 10_09
AM_0001.jpg)
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