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The State Police Merit Board was created in 1949 (L. 1949, p. 1357). The three-member board, appointed by the Governor, formulated, adopted, and activated rules, regulations, and procedures concerning the state highway police. In this capacity, the board served as a regulatory body for the Illinois State Highway Police, a division of the Department of Public Safety. It continued to do so when the State Police Division was transferred to the newly created Department of Law Enforcement in 1971 (P.A. 77-568, p. 1180).
Among the board's responsibilities were the establishment of specific criteria for hiring, promoting, disciplining, and establishing rank classifications for state police officers. All applicants had to be certified by the board before they could be appointed.
The board tested all candidates for promotion based upon ascertained merit, seniority, and physical and mental examinations and created standards and qualifications for each rank classification. Final review of disciplinary actions taken by the Superintendent of State Police rested with the Merit Board. No officer could be removed, demoted, or suspended except by a board hearing.
405.001
PERSONNEL FOLDERS OF FORMER STATE POLICE OFFICERS. 1949-ca. 1971. 35 cu. ft. No index.
Files contain application requests; reference checks of education, financial credit, police files, and former employers; a security check conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation; correspondence from applicants; public commendations; departmental bulletins from the director of the board to division heads; some correspondence from the Governor to the board; certifications for appointments; applicant's photograph; and efficiency ratings.
Application forms list each applicant's name, age, marital status, nationality, occupation, height, weight, hair and eye colors, and waist measurement; blood pressure, pulse, and respiration readings; speech, hearing, or vision impediments; and data on applicant's family and any military service. Efficiency ratings are based upon police officer's work knowledge and attitude, initiative, personal and official conduct, attitude toward other employees, ability to understand directions, quality of work, public contacts, appearance, supervisory ability, and attendance record. The files also include transcripts and exhibits of board hearings; personal interview sheets; results of tests of adaptability, judgment, aptitude, and promotion as well as the Army General Classification and Illinois State Recall Memory examinations; and letters of resignation, suspension, and dismissal.
These records are available at the Illinois State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State.
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