Academy And Training - Leadership

• Colonel Marcus Gipson
• Deputy Director

Colonel Marcus Gipson has served with the Illinois State Police for more than 22 years and was appointed to Deputy Director for the Division of the Academy and Training in October 2021. Before becoming the Deputy Director, Colonel Gipson was the Assistant Deputy Director for the Division of the Academy and Training from March 2021 through October 2021. Colonel Gipson also served as the Assistant Deputy Director for the Division of Internal Investigation from February 2019 through March 2021. Deputy Director Gipson was previously assigned to the Division of Patrol - District Chicago Patrol and District 15. After leaving patrol, Deputy Director Gipson accepted positions in the Division of Internal Investigation and Division of Criminal Investigations as the Zone 2 Commander, overseeing violent crimes and drug enforcement investigations.

In addition to his current position, Deputy Director Gipson frequently speaks on the topic of Procedural Justice, Biased Based Policing, Ethics, and Leadership topics within the Illinois State Police. Deputy Director Gipson is a Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command graduate. He also received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Bellevue University and received a master’s degree in Public Administration from Governors State University. He is a member of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

• Lieutenant Colonel Jason LoCoco
• Assistant Deputy Director

Lieutenant Colonel Jason LoCoco currently serves as the Assistant Deputy Director for the Division of the Academy and Training. Upon graduating from Cadet Class 97 in September 1999, Lieutenant Colonel LoCoco was assigned as a Trooper to District 15 where he served until March of 2001 before being assigned to District Chicago. Lieutenant Colonel LoCoco worked in District Chicago from March 2001 to March of 2014, where he worked midnights and was a member of the Special Enforcement Team before achieving the rank of Sergeant in 2008 and Master Sergeant in 2011. From March 2014 to November 2017, Lieutenant Colonel LoCoco was assigned as the Operations Commander in District 21, being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in November 2014. In November 2017, Lieutenant Colonel LoCoco was assigned as the Interim District Commander of Districts 7 and 17. In February of 2017, he was promoted to the rank of Captain in District 17, serving as the District Commander until August 2020. He was part of the development and operations of the Law Enforcement Support Centers (LESCs) during the COVID pandemic in 2020. In August 2020, Lieutenant Colonel LoCoco was appointed as the Major of the Chicago Patrol Command, serving as Region Commander until October 2021.

Lieutenant Colonel LoCoco is a graduate of Drake University earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Accounting and Business Management. He was born and raised in the Chicago area where he lives with his family.

• Captain Joshua Ward
• Commander

Captain Josh Ward has served with the Illinois State Police for 20 years, beginning his career as a member of Cadet Class 103 in June 2001. Upon graduation he was assigned to District 18 in Litchfield where he served as a patrol Trooper until 2009. Captain Ward transferred to the Academy in 2009 where he served in several capacities, including as the Cadet and Recruit Class Coordinator. He then transferred to the Division of Internal Investigation where he was assigned as the Identified Offender Program Southern Command Supervisor. In May 2013 he returned to District 18 where he served as the Administrative Officer until May 2016 when he was transferred to the Academy. During his recent tenure at the Academy he has served as the Logistical and Curriculum Support Section Supervisor, the Administrative Bureau Chief, the Deputy Commander and currently as the Academy Commander.

Captain Ward attended Lincoln Land Community College and graduated from the University of Illinois Springfield. During his career he has served as an instructor in many disciplines, an FTO, a mentor, a member of the Region IV Crowd Control Team and as a Field Recruiter. Additionally, he has served on various boards and committees including the Traffic Crash Review Board, the Uniform Committee, and the Curriculum Review Committee.