Staff
Tod Myers
Assistant Director
Contact: 244-2565
Tod is currently the Assistant Director of PTI responsible for day-to-day operations and supervision of the Basic Law Enforcement Classes.
He came to PTI in March of 2021 after retiring from the Champaign Police Department (CPD) as the Deputy Chief of Operations. Serving 28 years at CPD, he served in several roles within the agency to include patrol officer, patrol sergeant, patrol Lieutenant, Professional Standards, Deputy Chief of Administration, and Deputy Chief of Operations. He had been involved in the training of new officers for over 25 years in one capacity or another. He has a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University in Law Enforcement Administration and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command.
When asked why he came to PTI, he said “I believe PTI is the premiere police academy in the state. For me this position is full circle. I began my police career sitting in the same classroom the recruits sit in today.I have a passion for training and being able to see the recruits develop from week 1 through week 16 is very rewarding.”
Beverly Beck
Business Office
Contact: 300-3767
I was lucky enough to join the administrative team in March 2023. My responsibility is to manage the day-to-day operations of the Business Office. My 12+ years of working at the University in various business units has given me the depth of knowledge needed to handle managing the business aspects of PTI. I don’t have a police or military background, so from the outside looking in, I felt the training of future police force is incredibly important. When the opportunity opened, I couldn’t have been more excited to commit to PTI. I fully believe in the mission of the Police Training Institute. The sense of community and teamwork makes me want to come to work each day. I love my job. Now looking from the inside, I know the importance of this training institute and see the day in and day out the heart poured into training the recruits. I can’t imagine being anywhere else. Outside of work, I can be found kayaking, supporting live music, cooking, gardening, and hanging out with my husband.
Shannon Bridges
Training Coordinator
Contact: 244-4654
Shannon is currently the Training Coordinator of PTI responsible for daily scheduling duties, day-to-day supervision of the Basic Law Enforcement classes, curriculum development, and some class instruction.
She initially came to PTI in the fall of 2022 as an instructor and role player. She became employed as the Training Coordinator in December 2023. Shannon retired from the Champaign Police Department in January 2012 after eight years of service and then began teaching at Parkland College in the Criminal Justice program in August 2012. While teaching in the Criminal Justice program, she was promoted to the Program Director position and remained in that position until she became the Training Coordinator at PTI. Shannon has over ten years’ experience providing an educational foundation for those interested in a career in law enforcement.
When asked why she came to PTI, she discussed her passion for law enforcement and the desire to be able to give back to the recruits. She stated, “I started my career here and can still remember how it felt to be learning something new every day. I looked up to all of the instructors that I had and wanted to be able share my experiences with the recruits to help them in their journey.”
Patrick Funkhouser
Firearms Training Coordinator
Contact: 333-6734
Patrick achieved his Master Firearms Instructor Certification in 2006 and began working as a part-time firearms instructor for P.T.I. shortly after. He transitioned to his current, full-time position as the P.T.I. Facilities Coordinator in 2019.
Patrick started his law enforcement career as a patrol Deputy in McLean County, Illinois in 1991 where he was a Defensive Tactics Instructor and a Field Training Officer. He worked as a Gang Crime Specialist on a plainclothes taskforce as well as serving on an Interstate Drug Interdiction Unit. Patrick accepted a lateral transfer to the Champaign Police Department in 1997 and became an Armorer, Master Firearms Instructor and was promoted to Detective where he specialized in gun crimes. He graduated from Hazardous Devices School at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama and joined the bomb squad. He was later assigned to an FBI Safe Streets Task Force where he was sworn in as a special federal agent for the second time in his career. Patrick has testified as an expert witness in firearms in both State and Federal court and has presented firearms lectures in both public forums and at the University of Illinois School of Law. Patrick retired from the Champaign Police Department as a Patrol Sergeant in 2019.
When asked why he came to PTI, he said “I’ve been a teacher to other police officers for almost three decades and I strongly believe in the adult learning model, which is the basis of everything P.T.I. does. Being a small part of P.T.I.’s 70 years of service to Illinois law enforcement officers is the greatest honor of my career”.
Rebecca Roberts
Registrar
Contact: 333-6522
Becca is currently the Registrar at PTI, responsible for registration of our Basic Law Enforcement and Basic Correctional Officer academies as well as specialty classes.
With a desire to fulfill her interest in the Criminal Justice field, Becca joined PTI in March of 2023, providing over 14 years of administrative experience. In 2016, she began pursuing that profound interest working towards a degree in Criminal Justice Education. Becca is passionate about PTI’s mission and vision going forward.
When asked why she came to PTI, Becca said, “I came to PTI longing for a fulfilling career. With a strong interest in the Criminal Justice System, it was self-evident PTI was just what I was looking for. I think the most rewarding part of working at PTI really hits me at graduation, watching the recruits walk into graduation and walk out as officers. Seeing their perseverance and dedication pay off and knowing you contributed to a small portion of their training here at PTI is an indescribable feeling.”
Becca’s free time is best spent with her children. There aren’t many sports her children haven’t tried; you never know what type of event you may run into them at or what activity you may find them doing. From being out on the golf course with her son or on a dock fishing for hours on end, to a cheerleading competition with her daughter or on a timed, complex, shopping mission of some sort (they really are missions), they are always on the go. Her favorite season is the summer as she enjoys spending her time outside, in the sunshine, near water.
Mary-Margaret Roessler
Assistant to the Director/Basic Course Secretary
Contact: 244-6466
Mary-Margaret is currently the Basic Course Secretary for the Basic Law Enforcement academy classes, as well as Assistant to the Director and Assistant Director.
Mary-Margaret came to the Police Training Institute in September of 2019. She started at the University of Illinois by working Extra Help in February of 2016 at the University of Illinois Foundation at Harker Hall.
When we asked Mary-Margaret why she came to work at PTI she said: “PTI has always had a special place in my heart. My mom started at the Police Training Institute when I was only 2 years old and just recently retired after 28 years here. I always knew I wanted to work at PTI. Even though my job is just a small part of the academy, it is really cool to know that I have a little part in training the best officers and deputies in the state.”
Jen Whiting
Research Assistant & Writing Instructor
Jen Whiting is an academic and educator with a career spanning education, curriculum design, and information technology. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Jen holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Queens University and a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Rider University. Her teaching experience covers a range of institutions and programs, including the Police Training Institute, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Baruch College, Montclair State University, the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission, and Mercer County Community College. Her roles have encompassed serving as an instructor, lecturer, teaching assistant, and assistant professor, demonstrating her versatility and expertise in diverse educational contexts.
In addition to her instructional roles, Jen has made contributions as a Research Specialist and Curriculum Analyst at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s College of Education. She has developed courses focusing on the education of law enforcement personnel and has participated in research for a federally funded grant to analyze the curriculum and pedagogy of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Beyond her education-focused roles, Jen has a rich history in administrative and IT roles at Princeton University and Cornell University. Jen began doing research at PTI in the summer of 2022.
Jen and her partner live in Champaign, Illinois with their dog and cat. Jen can often be found at Physical Training (PT) in the early mornings with PTI recruits. If you don’t see her there, ask her why she’s slacking off.
Randy Beach
Primary Instructor
Randy is currently the Lead Firearms Instructor for PTI. His responsibilities include teaching both the Basic Law Enforcement Classes, and experienced officers in The Master Firearms Instructor Program. Randy facilitates scenarios and teaches the Advanced Medical Trauma classes to the BLE classes.
Randy started at PTI in 2019 after retiring from the Champaign Police Department. During his time at the police department, he was a Master Firearms Instructor for 18 years as well as a Field Training Officer for 9.
Prior to joining the police department Randy spent 6 years active duty in the United States Marine Corps. During his time in the USMC, Randy deployed to numerous foreign countries and was trained in, and taught, numerous weapon platforms to both US servicemen and women, and foreign military.
When asked why he came to PTI, he said, “My passion is in teaching and training!” I have had numerous trainers/mentors starting when I attended PTI, that have helped form me into the trainer that I am, and what better way to give back to our profession than to be able to do the same for this honorable profession!”
Steve Malloch
Primary Instructor
Steve joined PTI as an instructor in June of 2001. He delivers instructions to new recruits and veteran officers on safety procedures and tactical skills with practical application. He also serves as a Master Firearms Instructor which includes training on active shooters, high risk traffic stops, and decision-making during force-on-force training.
He retired from the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office after a 30-year career, beginning as a Deputy, then promoted to Corporal, Sergeant and then Lieutenant, providing leadership to the patrol division. Steve was also a member of the Champaign County Metro Swat Team. For the final 20 years, he served as the Commander of the Unit, leading the team through continual training to prepare for real tactical events. He has assisted in the Mobile Training Units which provides training to veteran officers on strategic options to handle active shooters and high-risk traffic stops.
Steve’s mission is to help train new and veteran police officers in good, sound police tactics with a heavy emphasis on officer safety.
Ken Palmer
Primary Instructor
Kenneth “Ken” Palmer has been with PTI since April of 2004. Ken’s primary areas of training is Control Tactics, O.C. Spray and Taser.
Ken served 8 years active duty in the U.S. Army. Following his military service, Ken continued public service when he was hired by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Police in 1998. He dedicated 22 years to the Sheriff’s Department and citizens of Livingston County before retiring in 2020. During his service, Ken held various roles, including Patrol Sergeant, Field Training Officer, Supervisor of the Field Training program, Emergency Response Unit member and team leader. He was an original member of the County-wide Pro-Active Unit and supervised the unit. Additionally, Ken was a member of the Department’s training staff, teaching Control Tactics, Firearms, O.C. Spray, Taser, and Reality Based Training.
When asked why he chose to apply at PTI, Ken said “PTI is one of the oldest and most recognized academies in Illinois and has lead the way in police training for many years. Maybe my opinion is biased as a graduate of PTI, but I can’t think of a better place to teach. I enjoy being part of the development and growth of new officers and enjoy preparing them for safe and professional careers.”
Ed Ogle
Primary Instructor
Ed is currently a lead instructor at the Police Training Institute and instructs classes within the Basic Law Enforcement Classes. He started instructing at PTI in 2012.
Ed came to PTI after serving 28 1/2 years with the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office. While at the Sheriff’s Office he was a Patrol Deputy, Field Training Officer, Investigator, Patrol Sergeant and Head of the department’s Field Training Program. Ed was promoted to Lieutenant and was Investigations Commander during his final eight years and retired in 2013.
When asked why he chose to work at PTI, he replied that he wanted to give back to the profession that he loved. He also wanted to still have an active role in developing law enforcement recruits and strive for a more professional and prepared officer prior to their field training.