TAYA BATES
Peoria Police Cadet
Co-ordinator, Mayor’s Youth Internship Program
Occupation: As a Peoria Police Cadet, Taya Bates is on her way to becoming a full-fledged Peoria Police Officer. She is also coordinator of the Mayor’s Youth Internship program and part-time director of the Peacekeepers program at Peoria Friendship House. Her career path began in the criminal justice program at Woodruff Career and Technical Center (WCTC), where her studies included writing about young Peorians’ experiences with violence.
Community Involvement: Her work goes hand-in-hand with her community involvement. She has assisted nearly 100 youths with summer jobs in the Mayor’s Youth Internship Program and helped coordinate more than 30 public service or charity events in the cadet program, along with many other activities. She has received the Peoria Police Department’s 2023 Civilian of the Year Award and the Mayor’s Leadership Award for Exemplary Role Modeling.
Education: Criminal Justice major, Illinois Central College, scheduled to graduate December 2024 and enter the Police Academy in 2025
Three things she’s passionate about: “Giving back to my community, working with youth and physical/mental wellness.”
Three favorite hobbies: “Weightlifting, cooking and spending time with loved ones”
Career Influence or Inspiration: Dr. Lisa Snow, a teacher at WCTC and retired assistant chief of Peoria Police Department, Peoria Mayor Rita Ali and Dr. Bernice Gordon-Young, a licensed clinical therapist and at-large member of Peoria City Council.
Inspirational quote: “Let all you do be done in love.”
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