Roger Richards
Director
SILEC/MTU #14
DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS
      As I assume the Director's position of SILEC/ASSIST#14, I find our organization has developed a solid foundation and network of delivering training in our region. Much of the credit for this obviously goes to my predecessor, J. W. "Skip" Bennett, and to the staff members of our organization, as well as to the law enforcement leadership in our seven (7) county region.

      Law enforcement has made quantum leaps during the past thirty (30) years of our country's history. President Johnson's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice Report was the springboard that caused much of the change in our justice system. Although the Commission's Report called for changes throughout the entire spectrum of the justice system, perhaps one of the most significant changes that occurred was in the area of training. It would seem midevil by today's standards, but many police officers prior to the Commission Report did not receive formal academy training, and in-service, continuing education training was virtually non-existent.

      The political leaders and founders of SILEC deserve much of the credit for having the foresight to form an organization that is on the cutting edge of training development for the law enforcement agencies of this region. The State Legislature and the State Training Board used the model developed here to implement a statewide system. Since those early years, SILEC has continued its' commitment to bringing quality training to the law enforcement practitioners working in the field.

      I don't believe that there has ever been a time in the history of law enforcement that training has been more important than it is today. The current role of a law enforcement officer in our society is more complicated than ever before. Technology, equipment, complex social issues, (i.e. breakdown of the family unit, drugs, weapons, gangs, violence, etc.) the evolution from the professional policing model (reactionary) to the community policing model (problem solving) are all factors which have contributed to the complexity of being a police officer.

      Therefore, as we enter the "Information Age", we must continue to change our training, which in turn will enable our police officers and agencies to meet the needs of their constituents.

      During a recent interview, Librarian of Congress James Billington said, "There is a reason we call it the Information Age and not the Knowledge Age. You see, information that is hoarded or otherwise inaccessible has very little chance of ever becoming valuable knowledge."

      The staff members of SILEC/ASSIST #14 are committed to serving our law enforcement agencies to insure that we do our part in changing the "Information Age" into the "Knowledge Age".

Bio of the Director of the Southwestern Illinois
Law Enforcement Commission
Roger A. Richards, Director

      Director Richards' position with the Southwestern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission is the culmination of a law enforcement career spanning thirty (30) years. Roger is recognized both locally and statewide for his high ethical and moral standards, his leadership, and for consistently being on the cutting edge of law enforcement trends, issues, and practices.

      Roger began his law enforcement career in 1966 when he served as a Military Policeman in the U. S. Army. Upon discharge from the Armed Forces, he not only continued working in the law enforcement profession, he also began his college education.

      Director Richards attended Southwestern Illinois College (BAC) where he received an Associate of Arts Degree in 1972. He furthered his education by attending McKendree College of Lebanon, Illinois where he received a B.A. in Urban Affairs in 1976. During this period in his education, Roger also attended and graduated from the 99th Session of the FBI National Academy, Quantico, Virginia.

      While receiving his education, Roger was employed with the Fairview Heights Police Department. He began in 1971 as a Municipal Officer, rapidly rising through the ranks to become the Chief of Police by the age of 33. He excelled in this position for 21 years before accepting the position of Director with the Southwestern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission.

      Director Richards maintains many professional associations, including membership with the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police since 1978, and membership with the International Association of Chiefs of Police since 1976. He has been a member of the FBI National Academy Associates since 1974. Roger serves as a committee member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Commission. He is the 1986 Past-President of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, and the 1984 Past-President of the Southern Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. Roger is also a past Board Member of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, serving this prestigious organization from 1987 to 1999.


Assistant Director Ronald Shownes

Retired Director JW Skip Bennett