ST. LOUIS - Illinois State Police is making a major change that will attempt to help widen the pool of applicants for the department.
Previously to apply trooper positions, there was an education requirement which required applicants to have an associate degree or at least 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university.
Now there is a way that requirement can be waived for applicants.
Illinois State Police say that current law enforcement officers who wish to apply to be a trooper may no longer have to meet certain education requirements.
Applicants who are have successfully completed basic law enforcement training, served least 3 years of continuous, full-time service as a peace officer with the same police department, and are currently serving as a peace officer.
The requirement can also be waived if the applicant served in the military, served three years and/or received a medal and were honorably discharged.
"The change was made so it could open our applicant pool a little bit more and give other law enforcement officers and more folks the opportunity to join our agency," said Illinois State Police Sergeant Aldo Schumann.
More information available at IllinoisTrooper.com