About US

In the fall of 1983, the idea of forming and developing an organization to address specific issues of African-American officers in the Illinois State Police originated in Springfield, Illinois. The steering committee, which consisted of seven African-American officers (Robert Moore, Leonard Day, Andre Parker, Donald Murphy, Odell Thompson, Mary Woolery, and Ken Hall) met regularly in order to discuss the feasibility of an organization and to outline strategies for obtaining input from the other African-American officers in the department. It was the consensus of the majority to form an organization so that issues affecting them could be addressed collectively. The officers voted to adopt the name Illinois Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers (ABLE). The logo was designed to represent unity of the investigators and the patrol officers and depicted the shield and star which were carried by both. 

On November 20, 1984, ABLE was incorporated by the State of Illinois and 75 African-American officers became the charter members of the association. ABLE is as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which strives to ensure every possible effort is being made to provide equal opportunity for all persons to engage in gainful employment within the Illinois State Police.  ABLE works collectively with the department toward the implementation of effective programs to achieve parity for minority officers throughout the rank structure. Furthermore, ABLE supports the continued training, technical assistance and consideration to its members to enable them to more effectively pursue career opportunities.

Each year ABLE members, in collaboration with other organizations, coordinate and volunteer their time at the Team Illinois Youth Camp and the American Legion Youth Camp with the primary purpose of establishing an interactive,  inter-personal, and positive relationship between at-risk youth and law enforcement in order to create a bridge of understanding between the two groups.