• Colonel Jamal A. Simington
• Deputy Director

Col. Jamal Simington was appointed as the Deputy Director for the Division of the Academy and Training in March 2021. Before becoming the Deputy Director of the Division of Academy and Training, Colonel Simington served as the Deputy Director in the Division of Internal Investigation from February 2018 through March 2021.

He began his law enforcement career in 1991 at the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department where he served as a correctional officer, tele-communicator, and then sheriff’s deputy. During his 6.5 year tenure as a deputy, he was assigned to the patrol and investigative divisions. Colonel Simington’s career commenced with the Illinois State Police in 1999 where he was first assigned to District 21 in Ashkum, Illinois. He served in Zone 3 Investigations for 11 years, with assignments to the General Squad-Ashkum Office, Zone 3 Methamphetamine Response Team, Kankakee Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group (KAMEG), Will County Cooperative Police Assistance Team (WCPAT), and culminating as the Director of the KAMEG. He was a member of the Region II Crowd Control team for ten years and led investigative teams during criminal interdiction activities. Colonel Simington was later assigned as the Operations Commander in District 21, the District Commander in District 10, and the Region III Commander for the State Police overseeing 2 investigative zones and 6 patrol operations in Central Illinois. In 2016, he was appointed as the Lieutenant Colonel of the State Police’s Field Support Command, which included Air Operations, Intelligence Command, Investigative Support Services, Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau, Patrol Support Services, Special Weapons and Tactics, and Statewide Gaming Commands.

Colonel Simington is a graduate of Kankakee Community College, Governors State University, and the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, School of Staff and Command. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Colonel Simington has served on a variety of boards and committees and as a field recruiter and mentor. He teaches at the Illinois State Police Academy and is a previous instructor for the North East Multi-Regional Training, Inc.

• Lieutenant Colonel Marcus Gipson
• Assistant Deputy Director

Lieutenant Colonel Marcus Gipson has served with the Illinois State Police for more than 21 years. Lieutenant Colonel Gipson was appointed as the Assistant Deputy Director for the Division of Academy and Training in March 2021. Before becoming the Assistant Deputy Director of the Division of Academy and Training, he was Assistant Deputy Director of the Division of Internal Investigation from February 2019 through March 2021. He was previously assigned to the Division of Patrol - District Chicago Patrol and District 15. After leaving patrol, Lieutenant Colonel 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, Assistant Deputy Director Gipson frequently speaks on the topic of Procedural Justice, Biased Based Policing, Ethics, and Leadership topics within the Illinois State Police. Assistant 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.

• 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.