• Colonel Michael Gillock
• Deputy Director

Colonel Michael Gillock currently serves as the Deputy Director for the Division of Academy and Training. Prior to this appointment, Colonel Gillock served as the Deputy Director of Statewide 9-1-1, Assistant Deputy Director of the Division of Justice Services, Logistics Bureau Chief for the Division of Administration, and the Assistant Center Chief of the Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center. Colonel Gillock has also served as the Statewide Field Intelligence Coordinator and a Dignitary Protection Officer. Colonel Gillock joined the Illinois State Police in 2000 and started his career as a patrol officer in District 2 (Elgin). Colonel Gillock graduated from Illinois State University and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Law Enforcement Administration, with a minor in Spanish.

• 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.