University Police received an award last week from the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System for “superior planning and preparedness by a local law enforcement agency,” according to a Northwestern new release.

ILEAS, a statewide consortium of nearly 1,000 local agencies and police departments created in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, presented a plaque to UP on Wednesday at the department’s new headquarters.

The award was accepted by Eugene Sunshine, senior vice president for business and finance; Bruce Lewis, associate vice president of public safety and chief of UP; Ingrid Stafford, associate vice president of finance operations and treasure; and Shaun Johnson, emergency services police commander.

According to the news release, ILEAS’ mutual aid system aims to provide immediate law enforcement resources, manpower and equipment at the scene of a local emergency, such as a weather disaster, a terrorist attack or an explosion.

— Joseph Diebold