๐๐ญ๐๐ฉ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฌ
โWhen I was in my early twenties, I was going to college and working evenings at a gas station. Even then, I felt a calling to do something moreโsomething that mattered, something that helped people in moments when they needed it most. One evening, an officer stopped for gas and suggested I apply to the local police department as a 911 Telecommunicator. That small moment of encouragement changed the course of my life.
I soon applied to both the local police department and the sheriffโs department for a 911 Telecommunicator/Matron position. After interviewing with both agencies, I felt a growing excitement about the possibility of joining law enforcement and serving the community that raised me. I accepted a position with the sheriffโs department and stepped into the role of a 911 Telecommunicator at a time when the entire system was still new to our small community. It was a period of transformationโcomputers were just being introduced, pen and paper systems were fading, and communities were transitioning to standardized 911 addresses. Change was constant, and I loved being part of something that was evolving to better protect and serve people.
As technology grew, so did my desire to learn more, to do more, and to challenge myself. That drive led me to apply for a Telecommunicator position with the Illinois State Police. I began my ISP career in January 2000, and from the very start, I knew I had found my purpose. Through intensive training, strong mentorship, and continued professional development, I became a certified Telecommunicator and discovered just how impactful this career could be.
At ISP, technology quickly advanced Computer Aided Dispatch, statewide land mobile radio systems, touch screen operations, and more. The responsibilities grew as well. Being an ISP Telecommunicator means managing multiple emergencies at once, tracking officer locations, coordinating with countless partners, and answering both emergency and non emergency calls from the public. It is demanding work, but it is deeply meaningful. It is a career built on courage, compassion, and the unwavering commitment to help others, even on their hardest days.
Not everyone is called to this type of work, but for those who are, it becomes more than a job. It becomes a purpose, a passion, and a second family. This career also offers meaningful pathways for advancement; something reflected in my own journey. Over the years, dedication, continued learning, and a commitment to service led me to where I am today as the Deputy Director of the Division of Statewide 9 1 1. It is a reminder that the opportunities within this field are wide ranging for those who choose to pursue them.
If you have drive, strong multitasking abilities, and the desire to work in a career that brings growth, accomplishment, and community, I encourage you to explore the Illinois State Police Telecommunicator positions listed below and apply today. You will never regret the opportunities you seize, only the ones you walk away from.โ - Cher Clodfelter, Division of Statewide 911 Deputy Director
Join the ISP team as a Telecommunicator and step into a career that will challenge you, shape you, and reward you in ways you never expected. It will push your limits, strengthen your skills, and bring moments of emotion, pride, and fulfillment that stay with you forever.
Most of all, it will give you the honor of saying, โI am an Illinois State Police Telecommunicator, and I am here to help you.โ
Apply here:
bit.ly/4BcDVUJ