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Board of Trustees

Derek Wise

Venice; Appointed March 2023

Retired Major Derek L. Wise assumed responsibilities as the Southern Patrol Commander of Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Patrol in October 2019.  His sustaining goal while assigned as the Southern Patrol Commander was to improve the safety and quality of life for citizens by reducing traffic fatalities and violent crime.

Retired Major Wise is a law enforcement professional as well as a national and state certified instructor and trainer.  He began his law enforcement career in 1992 with the Venice Police Department where he started out as a patrol officer.  During his time with Venice PD, he successfully performed the duties of Detective, Corporal, Sergeant, and Patrol Commander.  In 1997, Mr. Wise began working for the Madison County Sheriff’s Department where he started out in patrol as a Deputy Sheriff.   In 2001, he transitioned to the Illinois State Police.  During his career with the Illinois State Police, Mr. Wise held numerous positions which includes Trooper, Sergeant, Master Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Major.

Mr. Wise is U.S. Army military veteran.  While serving in the military, he served as an instructor with the United States Army Primary Leadership Development School (PLDC) specializing in unit leadership.  Mr. Wise graduated from Venice High School in 1988 as Valedictorian of his senior class.

Mr. Wise was recruited by the Southwestern Illinois Police Academy (SWIC) to instruct new police recruits in criminal law.  Mr. Wise served as a state certified instructor (Illinois State Training and Standards Board) for the Illinois State Police specializing in Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (EVOC) and Criminal Law.  In addition, Mr. Wise served his fellow officers as a nationally certified instructor in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST). 
In addition to teaching for two police academies, Mr. Wise is an instructor for the Southwestern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission specializing in Basic Surveillance Techniques.  Mr. Wise serves as a subject matter expert and is a certified promotional assessor.

Mr. Wise received his Associates Degree in Administration of Justice from Belleville Area College.  Mr. Wise successfully completed his Bachelor’s degree for Business Administration, with a Paralegal certification, from Webster University.  He earned his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Lindenwood University.   He currently serves as an adjunct professor at Lindenwood University and Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville where he teaches Communication and Criminal Justice courses.

During his 30 year law enforcement career, Mr Wise’s awards and decorations include the Department Commendation Medal, Department Unit Citation Award, and Physical Fitness Ribbon. 

Email: DL-Wise2@wiu.edu