The first Basic Law Enforcement Class graduated from the Police Training Institute in 1956. On October 22, 1957, this class chartered with the State of Illinois to create the Police Training Institute Alumni Association.

The purpose of the Association is to promote understanding, coordination, education, and advancement in all phases of police work; encourage the application of the highest ethical standards of our profession; endeavor by the exchange of ideas and methods to increase the efficiency within our respective organizations; assist in every honorable way the furthering of the official interests of its members and the Police Training Institute; impress upon each community the necessity for police training and education; and impress upon the public that police work is a “profession.”

The Ervin H. Warren Award was created in 1967 by the Alumni Association and is given to the one officer in each Basic Law Enforcement Class who best exemplifies today’s concept of tomorrow’s police officer. This award is named in honor of the first director of the Police Training Institute.

Membership* is open to any individual in the criminal justice system. The yearly membership fee is $10, and lifetime membership is $100.