Section 1725.101  Purpose and Scope

 

Unless otherwise indicated, this Part sets forth the general requirements and procedures that are applicable for the training of all interns. 

 

Section 1725.102  Definitions

 

The definitions of terms used in this Part are the same as those found in the Illinois Police Training Act [50 ILCS 705].  The following terms are defined for purposes of this Part: 

 

"Act" means the Law Enforcement Intern Training Act [50 ILCS 708].

 

"Applicant" means a person who has applied for admission to the Intern Training Program.

 

"Application" means the application process, including, but not limited to, those tests and procedures set forth by the Board and set forth in the Act.

 

"Board" means the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. 

 

"Certified Law Enforcement Intern" means a graduate law enforcement intern who has successfully completed the law enforcement Intern Training Program and the State Certification Examination.

 

"Executive Director" means the Executive Director of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.

 

"Graduate Law Enforcement Intern" means a civilian who has successfully completed the law enforcement Intern Training Program but has not passed the State Certification Examination.

 

"Intern" means an individual who has applied for, has been admitted into and is currently enrolled in the Intern Training Program.

 

"POWER test" means the physical fitness standards established pursuant to 20 Ill. Adm. Code 1720.30(h).

 

"Program" means the Intern Training Program.

 

Section 1725.103  Veracity of Information

 

No person shall make any false or misleading statement, representation or certification of any record, report or any other document filed with the Board or required by the Board.  In the event records, reports or other documents are determined to be not in compliance with this Section, the Board may take appropriate action, including, but not limited to, disqualifying, dismissing or prosecuting that person. 

 

Section 1725.104  Confidentiality of Information

 

a)         Claims of confidentiality must be asserted, at the time of submission, by stamping the words "Confidential Business Information" on each page containing that information.  No confidential information will be submitted to parties involved in litigation without subpoenas. 

 

b)         Claims of confidentiality will be denied with respect to name and address of any person who receives funding and financial data submitted to the Board in order to implement the program. 

 

c)         Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), the Board will adhere to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act [5 ILCS 140].  Personal and private information may be acquired from the Board with the signed consent of the interested person. 

 

Section 1725.105  Board Review of Curriculum

 

The Board will be responsible for annually reviewing the curriculum of the Intern Training Program.  The Board shall, as changes in the law or training techniques occur, make modifications to the Program. 

 

Section 1725.201  Participation in the Program

 

To be eligible to participate in the Intern Training Program, a person must meet the requirements set forth in Section 6.1 of the Illinois Police Training Act [50 ILCS 705/6.1], the Law Enforcement Intern Training Act [50 ILCS 708], and this Part. 

 

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 9400, effective June 23, 2023)

 

Section 1725.202  Minimum Background Requirements

 

a)         The Board will establish minimum criteria and standards for all Program applicants.  Minimum criteria include completion of an associate's degree, no conviction for a felony or crime of moral turpitude, U.S. citizenship, Illinois residency and possession of a Firearm Owner's Identification card. 

 

b)         The Board will establish minimum testing requirements that shall be considered as a whole in determining the eligibility of a person to enter the Program.  The minimum testing will include, but not be limited to, the following: 

 

1)         Cognitive testing;

 

2)         Psychological testing;

 

3)         Background investigation;

 

4)         Drug testing;

 

5)         POWER test.

 

c)         The Board will interview and evaluate each applicant for the Program after the person has successfully met the testing criteria established in subsection (b). 

 

d)         In addition to the provisions of this Section, the Board will determine whether the person has met the requirements set forth in Section 15 of the Act. 

 

Section 1725.203  Cognitive Testing

 

a)         The Board will establish minimum testing applicant requirements for cognitive testing. 

 

b)         Cognitive testing shall demonstrate the applicant's ability in the following areas:  reading, comprehension, situational judgment, memory and writing. 

 

Section 1725.204  Psychological Testing

 

The Board will establish minimum testing requirements for Program applicants to determine whether the applicant meets the minimum requirements established by psychological written examination. 

 

Section 1725.205  Background Investigation

 

a)         The Board will conduct a background investigation including, but not limited to, the criminal history check, driver's license check, verification of employment, verification of residency, verification of education and verification of the requirements set forth in Section 15 of the Act. 

 

b)         The person shall also be fingerprinted and checked for a complete criminal

history background. 

 

Section 1725.206  Drug Testing

 

A person must meet the necessary laboratory levels and criteria prescribed by the Department of Public Health. 

 

Section 1725.207  Wellness Standards

 

a)         Each Program applicant shall successfully complete the Board's physical fitness (POWER) tests before being allowed to enter the Program. 

 

b)         Prior to being allowed to attempt any part of the POWER test, an applicant shall provide in writing to the Board, on a form approved by the Board, a medical release and authorization report signed by a licensed physician that indicates that the applicant is medically fit to take the POWER test. 

 

c)         Each person who wishes to enter the Program shall be required to perform and successfully complete all of the Board's physical fitness tests in the sequence delineated in this subsection (c).  Each applicant shall meet the standards defined in Appendix A for the following tests in the following order: 

 

1)         sit and reach; 

 

2)         one minute sit-up; 

 

3)         benchpress standard; 

 

4)         1.5 mile run. 

 

d)         A Program applicant who fails to complete the requirements set forth in this Section shall not be eligible to proceed with the Program. 

 

e)         A Program applicant shall be allowed to complete the requirements set forth in subsection (c) at test sites approved for the Program within 10 days prior to the beginning of the Program. 

 

f)         Within the final week of the Program, the intern must complete the sequence of Appendix A again and the results of these tests must be shared with the Board for analysis.

 

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 9400, effective June 23, 2023)

 

Section 1725.208  Cooperation with the Board

 

The applicant/intern shall cooperate with the Board to assist the Board in ensuring compliance with the Board's responsibilities under the Illinois Police Training Act [50 ILCS 705] and the Act.  This cooperation shall include, but not be limited to, providing the Board with consent forms necessary to do a thorough investigation as to the eligibility of the person to enter the Program, and ongoing consent to allow the Board to remain informed and apprised of the person's status and concurrence with Board established directives and procedures. 

 

Section 1725.209  Financial Responsibility

 

A Program applicant shall be 100 percent responsible for the payment of all costs and expenses associated with participation in the Program.  Program costs will be established by the Board and shall include, but not be limited to, the application fee (at least $300, but no more than $425, depending on the facility), the cost of testing, cost of travel, tuition ($1800 to $3000, depending on the school), room, board and miscellaneous fees, administration of the exam, physical fitness testing, doctors' reports and doctors' examinations (from $100 to $200, doctor ordered medical tests excluded), and any expenses associated directly or indirectly with the application for entry and completion of the Program.  In addition, it shall be the responsibility of the person who enters the Program to have adequate personal health insurance at all times and to hold harmless any trainer, institution or entity, including the State of Illinois, from any injury or disability sustained by the intern in the presentation of the Program to the person. 

 

Section 1725.301  Application

 

a)         Program applicants shall submit a complete application in accordance with this Part. 

 

b)         An application is complete when the Board receives all information that the Board deems necessary to determine whether to admit or deny the applicant in accordance with this Part. 

 

Section 1725.302  Filing Date of Application

 

a)         An application shall be deemed filed on the date when the Board receives the application, unless the Board notifies the applicant within 30 days after that date that the application is incomplete and gives the reason the Board finds it incomplete. 

 

b)         An application to enter the Program shall be filed at least 90 days prior to the start of instruction. 

 

c)         In addition to filing a complete application, an applicant shall, upon request of the Board: 

 

1)         provide additional information (e.g., background check) necessary to determine whether the applicant is a suitable candidate under the Act and this Part; or

 

2)         provide additional information necessary to clarify, modify or supplement previously submitted applications for this Program. 

 

Section 1725.303  Failure to Provide a Complete Application or Additional Information

 

The Board may deny an application if the submitter fails to comply with this Part.  The Board will examine the contents of the application and deny the application if the person fails to provide information the Board needs to review the application.  The Board will conditionally approve the application if there are minor deviations from the requirements, such as minor technical or other informational deficiencies that do not impede the Board's ability to judge the fitness of the applicant using the standards and procedures set forth in this Part. 

 

Section 1725.304  Board Review of Application

 

In reviewing an application, the Board will determine if the person is qualified to enter the Program and whether acceptance of the person would be in the best interests of the public and promote and protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.  The number of persons accepted into the Program will be based, in part, but not exclusively, on the amount of money appropriated for training, the ability of Board certified facilities and instructors to train additional personnel, the cost to administer the training, number of other police officers to be trained in law enforcement programs, and the success of the program based upon the ability of interns to obtain employment after completing the Program. 

 

Section 1725.305  Signatures on the Application

 

a)         All applications shall be signed by the applicant and documents attached to the application shall be signed by the person creating the documentation. 

 

b)         Any person signing a document required pursuant to any form or directive of the Board shall make the following certification: 

 

"I certify under penalty of law that I have personally examined and am familiar with the information submitted in this document and all attachments and that, based upon my inquiry, and my personal knowledge, I believe that the information is true, accurate and complete.  I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false or misleading information, including the possibility of fine and imprisonment." 

 

Section 1725.306  Final Board Decision

 

The Board will notify the Program applicant in writing after the Board decides to grant or deny entry into the Program. 

 

Section 1725.307  Training Standards

 

a)         The Board will establish training standards and curriculum (see Section 1725.308) for the Intern Training Program. 

 

b)         Except as provided for in Section 8.1 of the Illinois Police Training Act, every person who enters the Program must successfully complete the Basic Training Program and State Certification Exam to be a Certified Law Enforcement Intern under this Program. 

 

Section 1725.308  Minimum Curriculum Requirements

 

a)         The Board will review the Basic Training Courses of the academy to update the minimum basic training requirements to ensure the course is of similar content and number of hours as the courses for law enforcement officers. 

 

b)         The training course may be reviewed and modified at any time by the Board.  The approved curriculum will include, but not be limited to, the following: 

 

1)         The elements required by the Peace Officer Firearm Training Act [50 ILCS 710]; and

 

2)         Those courses and topics established in Section 7 of the Illinois Police Training Act [50 ILCS 705/7]. 

 

Section 1725.309  Certification of Facilities

 

The Board will approve applicants for the Program on a case by case basis.  Once an applicant has been approved, he or she will be eligible to attend basic training at an approved Board-certified academy. 

 

Section 1725.310  Standards and Requirements

 

a)         Each academy certified by the Board to train interns shall operate under the guidelines set forth in this Part. 

 

b)         The director of the academy shall assume responsibility for overall supervision of the program, including, as determined by the Board, the maintaining and grading of tests, the maintaining of all records, rating of classroom notebooks (see Section 1725.311(b)), arranging for instructors approved by the Board, providing for food and lodging when appropriate, arranging for adequate training facilities (such as firearms courses, gymnasiums, auditoriums and driving and running courses) and maintaining and overseeing the conduct and discipline of interns. 

 

c)         The academy shall maintain complete records for each intern.  The records shall include, but not be limited to, the attendance and performance ratings of the intern, including test scores for every written or oral test taken during a Program course.  All records gathered by the academy or other facilities approved by the Board shall be maintained in accordance with the State Records Act [5 ILCS 160]. 

 

d)         The director of the academy shall be responsible for submitting to the Executive Director a class roster of all interns who participate in the Program; keep the Executive Director informed of the progress and status of the interns; and make the final determination of whether an intern has satisfactorily achieved all reasonable standards and passed all requirements during training.

 

e)         The director of the academy shall have the authority to dismiss from the Program any intern who fails to comply with the standards established in this Part.  When an intern is dismissed, the director of the academy shall submit a written report within 7 calendar days to the Executive Director.  The intern shall have the opportunity, within 7 days after notification of dismissal, to submit a written report to the Executive Director describing the intern's version of the event.  The Executive Director has the discretion to determine whether the action of the academy director should be ratified. 

 

Section 1725.311  Minimum Requirements of the Intern

 

a)         Regular attendance at all sessions is required.  However, excused absences may be granted by the director of the academy under certain limited circumstances beyond the intern's control, which may include, but shall not be limited to, a death in the family, illness, disability, or a transportation breakdown.  In order to successfully complete the course, absences shall not exceed 10 percent of the total hours of instruction for any course of instruction. 

 

b)         Maintenance of an adequate classroom notebook is required.  "Adequate", for purposes of this subsection, refers to: 

 

1)         Neatness.  Concise organization of the notes.  All notes and handouts will be placed in the book received during the course.  Division into topics is required;

 

2)         Legibility.  Recording of notes in brief, clear, complete sentences, underlining the important items;

 

3)         Accuracy.  The notes taken in class must precisely reflect the content of the class; and

 

4)         Sufficiency of Content.  Recording in the intern's notebook should be in the intern's own words.  The intern should strive to achieve condensation of the material clearly and concisely. 

 

c)         Qualification in the use of firearms as required by the Peace Officer and Probation Officer Firearm Training Act [50 ILCS 710] is required. 

 

d)         An overall average of 70 percent must be achieved on all written examinations given during any course of training.  Separate evaluation of any skill-oriented performance requirements shall be made by the designated director of the academy on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. 

 

e)         The director of the academy shall establish standards of conduct for the intern pursuant to Section 10 of the Illinois Law Enforcement Intern Police Training Act.  These standards shall include demeanor, deportment and compliance with the discipline and regulations of the facility or course.  These standards shall be reviewed and approved by the Executive Director prior to implementation. 

 

f)         Each intern shall provide, on a form prescribed by the Board, certification that the intern is a person of good character and has not been convicted of a felony offense or a crime involving moral turpitude.  An intern shall immediately notify the Board in writing of all arrests and convictions while the intern is undergoing intern training. 

 

g)         Each intern will bring such equipment and clothing to training sessions as is required by the Board and/or academy. 

 

h)         Interns must comply with all other requirements set by federal or State law, including, but not limited to, having a Firearm's Owner Identification card and valid State of Illinois driver's license. 

 

i)          An intern shall pass the State Certification Examination to qualify as a Certified Law Enforcement Intern under the Act, except as is otherwise provided for in the Act. 

 

1)         The test shall be in writing or conducted electronically.  It shall be administered by the staff of the Board or other testing company or association expressly authorized by the Board;

 

2)         The Board will establish a minimum passing score and ensure that the score reflects the knowledge and competency of the intern for law enforcement work.  The minimum passing score will be established within the range of 60 to 80 percent of the total score.  At the beginning of each training program, the minimum passing score will be announced.  Beginning December 15, 2022, the minimum passing score shall be 66%;

 

3)         The content of the test for interns may include, but not be limited to, material in the areas specified in Section 7(b) of the Illinois Police Training Act and subjects covered in the Peace Officer and Probation Officer Firearm Training Act [50 ILCS 710];

 

4)         The content of the test for interns may include, but not be limited to, materials in the areas specified in 20 Ill. Adm. Code 1725.202; and

 

5)         The Board will periodically review the content of the exam and minimum passing score to ensure they are current and reliable. 

 

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 9400, effective June 23, 2023)

 

Section 1725.312  Procedures for the Administration of the Law Enforcement Intern Certification Examination

 

a)         The certification examination will be administered to all interns who successfully complete the Program. 

 

b)         Interns who successfully pass the certification examination shall receive certification attesting to their successful completion of the Program.  

 

c)         Examination results will be reported in writing to the intern within 14 days after the examination date. 

 

d)         Only interns who have been certified by the Board as having met all the requirements of the Program are eligible to take the certification examination. 

 

e)         The initial certification examination will be administered at the academy. 

 

f)         The Intern will have 3.5 hours to complete the certification examination.  An intern will be excused from completing the examination at that session if he/she is ill and excused by the proctor. 

 

g)         Individuals allowed within the testing area will be limited to Board-approved examination proctors and those taking the examination. 

 

h)         In the event the intern fails to successfully complete the certification examination on the initial administration, he or she will be allowed to re-take the certification examination one time.  An alternate version of the examination will be taken on the second attempt.  Failure of the re-take shall result in the intern not being eligible for intern certification. 

 

i)          In order to be eligible to re-take the certification examination, the intern must submit a written request to the Board.  The Intern must apply for and complete the re-take examination within 6 months after the first attempt.

 

j)          Any intern who is uncooperative, is disruptive or is thought to be cheating during the administration of the certification examination will be ordered by the proctor to turn in his or her examination and to leave the examination area.  A complete written report of the incident shall be submitted by the proctor to the Executive Director.  The intern shall have the opportunity to submit, within 7 days, a written report to the Executive Director describing the intern's version of the event.  The Executive Director shall determine whether the intern has declined the examination and whether the intern is eligible to re-take the examination.  The Executive Director's determination will be based on the nature of the intern's misbehavior and on the supporting evidence of that misbehavior. 

Section 1725.APPENDIX A   Physical Fitness Standards

 

1.         SIT AND REACH TEST:  This is a measure of the flexibility of the lower back and upper leg area.  It is an important area for performing police tasks involving range of motion and is important in minimizing lower back problems.  The test involves stretching out to touch the toes with extended arms from the sitting position.  The score is reflected by the inches reached on a yard stick with 15" being at the toes. 

 

	MALE AGE	MALE AGE	MALE AGE	MALE AGE		FEMALE AGE	FEMALE AGE	FEMALE AGE	FEMALE AGE
TEST: Sit and Reach	20-29	30-39	40-49	50-59		20-29	30-39	40-49	50-59
Academy Entrance:	14.4	13.0	12.0	10.5		17.0	16.5	15.0	14.8

 

2.         1 MINUTE SIT-UP TEST:  This is a measure of the muscular endurance of the abdominal muscles.  It is an important area for performing police tasks that may involve the use of force and is an important area for maintaining good posture and minimizing lower back problems. 

 

	MALE AGE	MALE AGE	MALE AGE	MALE AGE		FEMALE AGE	FEMALE AGE	FEMALE AGE	FEMALE AGE
TEST: One Minute Sit Up Test	20-29	30-39	40-49	50-59		20-29	30-39	40-49	50-59
Academy Entrance:	33	30	24	19		24	20	14	10

 

3.         1 REPITITION MAXIMUM BENCH PRESS:  This is a maximum weight pushed from the bench press position and measures the amount of force the upper body can generate.  The score is reflected by the ratio of weight pressed to body weight. 

 

	MALE AGE	MALE AGE	MALE AGE	MALE AGE		FEMALE AGE	FEMALE AGE	FEMALE AGE	FEMALE AGE
TEST: Bench Press	20-29	30-39	40-49	50-59		20-29	30-39	40-49	50-59
Academy Entrance:	88%	78%	72%	63%		51%	47%	43%	39%

 

4.         1.5 MILE RUN:  This is a timed run to measure the heart and vascular systems' capability to transport oxygen.  It is an important area for performing police tasks involving stamina and endurance and to minimize the risk of cardiovascular problems.  The score is in minutes and seconds. 

 

	MALE AGE	MALE AGE	MALE AGE	MALE AGE		FEMALE AGE	FEMALE AGE	FEMALE AGE	FEMALE AGE
TEST: 1.5 Mile Run	20-29	30-39	40-49	50-59		20-29	30-39	40-49	50-59
Academy Entrance:	14:00	14:34	15:24	16:58		16:46	17:38	18:37	20:44

 

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 9400, effective June 23, 2023)