Akil Smith is the Deputy Director of the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Internal Investigation. He is a proud alumnus of Illinois State University (ISU), earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Sciences. Akil is a dynamic and motivated leader with a record of generating and building relationships. His strengths include managing projects from conception to completion, implementing strategies, coaching, developing, and mentoring. Akil was a police officer and detective with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department until 2002, when he joined the ISP. As an instructor of Procedural Justice, Akil was part of a team that trained 1800+ officers on the methodology and principals of procedural justice, which is instrumental in the continued professionalism and legitimacy of the ISP and the overall law enforcement profession.
When asked why he was interested in serving as a Promise Council board member, Akil indicated that he valued the opportunity to assist in helping area youth succeed and excel in education and in life. Akil is the father of three and his youngest is a 5th grader and attends a Unit 5 school. His wife Stacy is a Unit 5 Speech Language Pathologist and you may find them at ISU Men’s and Women’s Basketball games cheering on their favorite teams. Go Redbirds!
