Police Explorer programs in Fox Lake and Elgin have faced trouble in light of recent allegations of mishandling of funds.
Hampshire police Officer Ryan Edwardson said he would like to see public faith restored in the program. He was a member of Elgin Police Explorer Post 1445 from 2001 to 2005.
“It was one of the most positive experiences I ever had and the reason why I became a policeman,” Edwardson said. “Other Elgin Explorers also became active law officers. The Explorers is truly a good organization. The actions of a few should not mar the quality of what we have to offer.”
Edwardson, school resource officer at Hampshire High School, Hampshire Middle School, Hampshire Elementary School and Gary D. Wright Elementary School, leads the Hampshire Explorer meetings the second Thursday of every month at the Hampshire Police Department, 215 Industrial Drive. He has worked for the Hampshire Police Department since 2009.
At the January meeting, young men and women, ages 14 to 21, of Police Explorer Post 4100 in Hampshire had the opportunity to simulate what they would do as an officer handling a felony traffic stop.
The Explorer program offers young adults the chance to learn about facets involved in a career in law enforcement, including crime scene investigations, domestic violence situations, report writing and hostage negotiations.
Hampshire Police Explorer Post 4100 started in 2011. It currently has seven active Explorers and six who want to join. Explorers do not have to be Hampshire residents, but they must fill out an application and pay the $25 application fee.
Before the Explorers had the chance to role-play as officers inside the police station garage using a squad car that was stopped behind a car carrying alleged felons, Edwardson went over the procedures step by step of a felony traffic stop
Hampshire Trustees Mike Reid and Mike Armato attended the January meeting and volunteered to act as the persons under arrest.
Hampshire police Chief Brian Thompson also demonstrated the actions some people take when they are trying to resist arrest.
Edwardson stressed that officers should keep the hands of the person or persons being arrested in plain sight at all times.
“The hands are the most deadly part to watch out for,” Edwardson said. “If we can see the hands and control them, we will be safer.”
Edwardson also emphasized that officers must give clear and simple directions to the person being arrested so that they will know exactly what they should be doing.
“Be specific,” Edwardson said. “Don’t shy away if they try to intimidate you, and don’t use force if you don’t have to.”
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Each Explorer was paired with a partner so they could learn the importance of working in tandem and maintaining communication at all times.
Once the exercise was completed, the Explorers returned to the classroom where they were quizzed about Police 10 Codes and the phonetic alphabet. When an Explorer was unable to answer a question correctly, he or she would immediately do 10 pushups.
“We go over the 10 Codes every meeting,” Edwardson said. “If Explorers are doing a ride-along, they should know what the codes mean.”
The Explorer uniform, which is similar to the police uniform, costs between $70 and $80. It includes a shirt, pants, patches, name plates and collar brass.
Edwardson would like every Explorer of the Hampshire post to have a uniform. He has encouraged the Explorers to think of ways in which they can raise money.
The group talked about holding a fundraiser at Culver’s Restaurant in DeKalb. They will have a booth at the annual Hampshire Coon Creek Country Days in August and possibly hold a raffle. Explorers also talked about the possibility of selling popcorn or T-shirts or maybe running a car wash.
“We need a positive cash flow so that we can all get uniforms,” Edwardson said. “We need to knuckle down with fundraisers and show people that we want to earn the money.”
“The function of Explorers is to both learn and have fun while getting a police background,” Edwardson said. “If you want to go into law enforcement, this is where it starts.”
Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.