Law Enforcement Explorer Post #911

Former Sheriff Brendan Ward, along with the Will County Sheriff's Office is pleased to announce that the Will County Sheriff's Explorer Post #911 won first place in Hostage Negotiations competition at the Illinois Explorer Conference in Decatur, Illinois. 72 teams competed this year from explorer posts throughout the State of Illinois, which includes the State Police and United States Customs.

The Sheriff's Office sent 9 explorers, along with 4 advisors, to the week long State Competition where they worked hard competing in several different categories such as Building Search, Crime Prevention, Traffic Crash Investigation, Surveillance, Traffic Stops and Hostage Negotiations. Those explorers were David Kreimeier, Matt Shearer, Nick Butkovic, Tim Riola, Andy Studer, Jason Paris, Jeff Butler and Jack Loftis. The advisors from the Sheriff's Office that attended were Sgt. Jerry Nudera, Deputies Denise Bode, Terry Ellingham and Mike Johnson. The post has been together for 4 years and this is the 3rd competition they have attended.

Along with winning the First Place Trophy in Hostage Negotiations, the Post also received a second award. Glenda Kreimeier, mother of David who is an explorer, was very instrumental throughout the year in fund raising for the Post. Because of her hard work, she received the Dedicated Explorer Parent of the Year Award.

In addition to their First Place Trophy in Hostage Negotiations, the Post also finished 3rd our of 96 competing teams in Hostage Negotiations at the 2002 National Law Enforcement Exploring Conference.

The Explorer Post was also just recently awarded a certificate honoring them for their community service.

The Post is always looking for new members, both female and male, between the ages of 14 and 20, who have an interest in Law Enforcement. As a member you will have training in different police procedures , including range experience, and when an explorer turns 16 they are eligible to ride along in the patrol cars. They participate in community activities such as parades, the D.A.R.E. Walk-a-thon, Fraternal Order of Police Christmas party and collecting toys and warm clothing for needy people at Christmas.

Anyone interested in joining the Will County Sheriff's Explorer Post #911 contact Sergeant Teri Ellingham, Advisor at 815-727-8575 for further information.

What is Exploring?

Exploring is the young adult division of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women of high school age. The program is developed by local community organizations such as businesses, industries, professions, churches, and civic groups to match the interests of young adults with the program resources of the organization. For example, a computer center could design an Explorer program for Explorer-age youth interested in data processing. Or a church might have a number of outdoor-minded adult members who could provide leadership and program help to an outdoors Explorer post.

These community organizations support their posts in three major ways:

• A program "inventory" of adults related to the organization who are willing to provide program help to the post. These include careers, hobbies, skills, contacts, facilities, and ideas.
• The adult leadership to organize this program inventory and serve as Advisors to the youth leaders of the post.
• Meeting facilities

An Explorer post is a young-adult group that recruits members, elects officers, and plans programs based on the organization's program inventory. The adult Advisors provide training and guidance to the post's elected officers.

The BSA local council recruits a volunteer Exploring committee and assigns staff members to provide the following services to the community organization's post:

• Leadership training for adult and elected officers.
• Guidance on how to organize a post and keep the program going.
• Methods of recruit Explorers, including a career interest survey of local high schools.
• Regular communications with each post to provide program support.
• Use of council facilities such as camps and canoes.
• Planning of council wide activities that enrich the post's program.
• Liability insurance coverage.

The Explorer Code

As an Explorer-

• I believe that America's strength lies in our trust in God and in the courage, strength, and traditions of our people.
• I will, therefore, be faithful in my religious duties and will maintain a personal sense of honor in my own life.
• I will treasure my American heritage and will do all I can to preserve and enrich it.
• I will recognize the dignity and worth of all humanity and will use fair play and goodwill in my daily life.
• I will acquire the Exploring attitude that seeks the truth in all things and adventure on the frontiers of our changing world.

General Orders/Rules of behavior:

1. All members of the Will County Law Enforcement Post will show respect to their Parents, Teachers, Authority Figures, and all Adults in general.

2. Each member will be Drug Free, No Drugs of Any Kind, will be permitted.

3. All members will conduct themselves as model citizens, setting a positive example for our schools and community.

4. NO swearing, fighting, or smoking will be allowed.

5. The Explorer Code set by the B.S.A. will be enforced.

6. All members will maintain (while in school) a grade point average of 2.0 or above.

Violation of any of the above rules will result in demerits and or termination!!

Uniforms/Dress Codes:

Uniforms:

• Short sleeve shirt, Tan, Post Explorer patch on left shoulder, State Explorer patch on right, sewed on name tag, sewed on star
• White T-shirt pants, dark brown, solid, uniform type
• shoes, black, polished (boots opt.)
• belt, black, leather
• socks, black
• rank insignia's on collar only (Executive personnel only)
• hats (possibly brown baseball style, with Will County Post No. printed on it)

Note: The Explorer Post will issue each member with (1) s/s shirt, (1) long sleeve shirt, (1) pair of solid dark brown pants, (1) baseball style cap with logo, name tag and badge. All other equipment will be the members responsibility. Leather belt, shoes, etc.

Dress Code:

• All members will present a clean and neat appearance whenever in uniform
• Hair, all members hair will be worn in such a manner that their hair will not touch the collar of their uniform shirt (boys when their hair is hanging freely, girls may tie their hair up) No unusual styles (Mohawks, spike, etc.) or added un-natural colors will be accepted.
• Shirts will be worn tucked in the pants, and a white T-Shirt will be worn under said uniform shirt.
• A neatly trimmed mustache will be the only facial hair allowed, side burns are not to be extended below the ear lobe.
• Uniforms will only be worn during Post activities ( meetings, events, etc.) or by approval of an advisor.

Post Outline:

The intent of law enforcement Exploring is to educate and involve youth in police operations, and to interest them in possible law enforcement functions. Through involvement, the law enforcement Explorer program establishes an awareness of police services.

Objectives of the program:

• To further the members education
• To encourage Explorer participation through productive activity
• To enhance Explorer preparation for future roles as citizens and community members

The Sheriff's Office hopes to accomplish these objectives by the use of regular bi-monthly meetings. Another approach is the Explorer ride along program. At the discretion of our department, members of the post can observe field activities of the police firsthand. Strict guidelines to maintain the effectiveness of the field officer and at the same time provide for the safety of the ride-along participant. The cadets may also be used in areas such as crime prevention, record keeping, radios, and dispatching under supervision of department members. Explorers are in the more impressionable years of young adulthood, here they can learn civic responsibility which can promote a positive outlook. The Explorers also have the opportunity to work with other agencies Explorer posts such as Joliet, and Frankfort's program.

Members Eligibility Requirements:

1. Must be between 14-21 years old.
2. Must have a 2.0 grade point average if you are in school.
3. Must be able to attend weekly Wednesday evening meetings from 7-9P.
4. Must pass a background check and an oral review board.
5. Must be able to work special assignment details and events that are usually at night and on weekends.
6. Must participate in fund raising events.
7. Must have good references and if you are under 18 you must have your parent's permission to become a member.
8. Must abide by all rules and regulations of WCSO and Post #911.

Membership in law Enforcement Exploring is designed to be open to anyone, however the fact that trust between the advisor and members and credibility within the department need to be established and cannot be overlooked.

Training:

The Explorers are given a variety of training. Most of the topics are related to the field of Law Enforcement.

On the Job Training:

The value of each ride along with a Patrol Deputy or Specialized Unit is an invaluable experience to aid the Explorer in making a career choice within the police profession at a later time. Many have gone on to join police departments, the military or other law enforcement related fields.

Pride/Discipline:

Feel the Pride of wearing the Explorer uniform and experience the respect that the community has for it. Learn the discipline it takes to carry out tasks within the community and how to accomplish these tasks with pride and integrity.

Duties and Activities:

Law Enforcement Explorers through training and completion of in-service academies should be able to be involved and participate in agency activities. The Explorers involvement should be interesting and meaningful, but at the same time restrictive enough to prevent exposure to potential dangerous situations. The Explorers could be used for police services rendering assistance to citizen groups. The following activities may apply:

• Traffic Assistance
• First Aid & CPR
• Traffic Crash Inv.
• Domestic Crisis Intervention
• Arrest Procedures
• Search Procedures
• Building Searches
• Crime Prevention
• Community Service
• Hostage Negotiations
• Traffic Enforcement
• Community Policing
• And More....

Insurance:

Explorers will be covered by the BSA insurance policy. They and their parents should sign a general release form.

One of the many areas of police work that the Explorers experience. Fingerprinting techniques are being demonstrated by Sgt. Jerry Nudera and Deputies Denise Bode and Mike Johnson.