The Jacksonville Citizens Police Academy will be celebrating our local law enforcement this weekend. The annual Central Illinois Policeman’s Ball will be held on Saturday. Loren Hamilton, public liaison for the Jacksonville Police Department describes the event: “It’s this Saturday at Hamilton’s. Social hour is at 5PM, with the dinner and program starting at 6PM. The Citizens Police Academy will be giving away three awards – Officer of the Year, Officer of the Year in a Community Service Role, and then one to a community service individual.”
Hamilton says that the special guest for the event, Retired Illinois State Police Lieutenant Chris Tracy has a special connection to Jacksonville’s police department as he trained many of the local officers at the police academy during his tenure before retirement.
Hamilton says that there has been some misconception about the event in year’s past: “It was a misconception in the original balls that we have thrown that it was a formal, black tie event and that it was a law enforcement-only affair. Neither are true. Business casual is certainly acceptable and it’s open to the public. Actually, we encourage the public to come and honor our local law enforcement officers and get to know them. We’ll have a silent auction. Casey’s DJ Service will be there. It should be a good time.” The Central Illinois Policeman’s Ball began in 2012 and is a local event that honors the law enforcement officers from all of the departments in Central Illinois.
The ball begins at 5PM on Saturday at Hamilton’s Banquet Hall. Cost is $50 for the public and $45 for officers. Formal attire, again, is optional. For tickets to the event, call ahead to Tom Cisne at 217-370-6670 or Cindy Beddingfield at 217-370-0741. Tickets still remain.