The Illinois State Police (ISP) Officials welcomed 42 new troopers during a graduation ceremony Friday at the ISP Academy.  The new officers were joined by friends and family as ISP Director Hiram Grau administered their oath of office and formerly presented them with their ISP stars.  Cadet Class 123 is the first ISP class to graduate in 2014.

Prior to the graduation ceremony, the graduating cadets participated in the ISP traditional “Bell Ringing Ceremony”, commemorating their rite of passage to law enforcement and marking their transition to life as troopers. 

This is the second ISP Cadet Class under the new legislation that allows veterans who have been awarded an Afghan or Iraqi campaign medal by the military or naval services of the United States to apply without having earned a college degree.  These officers have been honorably discharged and have met the collegiate educational requirement for employment.  Fourteen of the new troopers are veterans, and of these, 10 were hired under the new legislation.