Gurnee police Explorers earn badges

Gurnee Police Chief Kevin Woodside hosted a badge presentation ceremony for the newly formed Police Explorer program on Wednesday, June 17.

The program started in December with more than 100 applicants ranging from 13 to 20 years old. After an orientation presentation, written test and background investigation, the top 20 were selected into the program, which consisted of weekly meetings at the Gurnee police department with officers mentoring Explorers. The training focuses on criminal law, police procedure, leadership and community service.

Since the program's inception, Explorers have volunteered more than 500 hours toward raising funds and assisting the community with events, such as the Special Olympics Torch Run, Cop on Rooftop, and the OUTRUN the COPS! and Walk for the Kids charity race.

The Explorers will host a car wash at the Gurnee Police Department from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 11, to raise funds for children with rare medical conditions and complex medical needs.

These volunteers assist the police department with events such as Gurnee Days and serve as role players for scenario training with the officers.

"We are trying to instill the same values in these young adults as the Gurnee officers show to the community; that we are here to help each other," Police Chief Kevin Woodside said.

In the short time Gurnee's Explorer program has been in existence, three of the 20 explorers have been chosen to attend prestigious training.

Explorer Chief Austin Demski, 18, is 1 of only 30 Explorers nationwide to be chosen to attend the DEA-sponsored National Law Enforcement Explorer Leadership Academy hosted in Washington, D.C.

Explorer Sgt. Lauren Constantino, 16, was chosen to attend the National Student Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.

Austin Clark, 16, was picked to attend the 2015 Youth Police Program sponsored by the Illinois National Guard, Illinois State Police and the American Legion in Springfield.

During the first week of August, the Explorers and their advisers will travel to Romeoville to compete against peers from across the state at the biannual Illinois Law Enforcement Explorers Conference. While at the conference, the Explorers will be graded on how they handle law enforcement scenarios such as traffic stops, domestic situations, accident investigation and crime scene reconstruction.