Illinois Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers Continue

Legacy of Service

Springfield – In honor of Black History Month, African American Troopers along with active and retired members of the Illinois Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers (ABLE) are volunteering throughout the state at various schools where they are reading to students and engaging them in discussions about the contributions of African Americans to the country and law enforcement.

In 2017, ABLE provided support to numerous community programs in the East St. Louis area including:  toys to the Holy Angels Women’s Shelter; clothing and appliances to the Homeless Boys Shelter; covering registration fees for kids baseball and basketball at the Jackie Joyner Kersee Center; mentoring and instructing youth at Metro East Candidates for Policing (MECOP); supporting the "Real Men Read" program at Katie Wright Middle School; and raising over $1,000 for a mother and 5 children who lost their home in a Metro East house fire a few days prior to Christmas.

Each year ABLE offers academic scholarships to rising students who have the desire to attend a college, university, trade school, or any other accredited educational institution above the high school level as a full-time student.

Colonel JoAnn Johnson recently retired as the Colonel of the ISP Division of Internal Investigation (DII) after becoming the first African American female in the Agency to attain the high ranking position. Colonel Johnson was followed by Colonel Jamal Simington as the Division’s second African American male to achieve the rank of Colonel.

Dozens of outstanding African American male and female ISP officers have strengthened the Agency through their dedication and commitment to service.  Along with Colonels Johnson and Simington, District 5 (Joliet) Commander Darryl Bogard, District 11 (Collinsville) Commander Timothy Tyler, and District Chicago Commander David Byrd are leading distinguished careers with the ISP.  Commander Timothy Tyler also serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves.