Illinois State Police Districts 11 (Collinsville) and 18 (Litchfield) Patrols are now under the direction of a new commander.
Joseph Kollins has been promoted to Commander after serving as a Lieutenant. Kollins began his career with the Illinois State Police in November 1995 and was assigned to District 11 patrol, Collinsville, upon graduation from the ISP training academy. In 1997 Commander Kollins transitioned to the Illinois State Police Tactical Response Team (SWAT). During the following years he received promotions to the rank of Sergeant, and Master Sergeant overseeing the southern region’s Tactical Response Team. In 2013 Kollins was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant for the Tactical Response Team statewide. Most recently he served as Zone 6 Narcotics Commander.
Among many others, Commander Kollins was one of 20 Troopers selected to represent the Illinois State Police during the 2008 Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. Kollins also served on Task Force Illinois to aid in the Hurricane Katrina Disaster Response in Louisiana. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University. Prior to his appointment to the Illinois State Police, he served as a police officer in Bloomington. Commander Kollins also served active duty with the Illinois Army National Guard. During his time with the U.S. Army he was assigned to Operation Desert Storm.
