One of the best kept secrets in Western Springs is the existence of Explorer Post 740. The organization, which has been in the area for more than 30 years and is run by the Western Springs Police Department, educates area youth about law enforcement.

Members, known as cadets, of the Explorer Post have the opportunity to learn “hands-on about police work,” said officer Tony Jemison of the Western Springs Police Department. He serves as the advisor of Post 740, which currently has five members.

“They work with communications, learn radio codes, talk police language, learn how to respond to calls and learn about the law,” he said.

A favorite part of the program is the ability to participate in ride-alongs with on-duty police.

“They ride in the car with an officer and watch the actions of the officer. They’re not allowed to leave the car unless it’s a completely nonthreatening situation like a lost dog or something. Otherwise, they stay in the vehicle. They can do ride-alongs at least once a month if they have the time,” Jemison said.

Cadets in the Explorer Post also take on related responsibilities, including traffic control during special events. Cadets who have reached the age of 18 can become part of the auxiliary program. In this capacity, Jemison said, “They have a little bit more power. They can write parking tickets, drive marked units and answer things like lost-dog calls independently.”

Jemison said that the Explorer Post program is an excellent stepping stone for young people interested in learning about careers in law enforcement. There are graduates of the Western Springs program who have moved on through the ranks to prestigious positions.

“I’ve heard that one or two have gone into the FBI,” he said. “The person running our auxiliary program came through the program. Another officer with the department came through our auxiliary program.”

Other graduates have become law enforcement professionals with other agencies.

Jemison said he is seeking to recruit as many as five additional members for the Explorer Post. Participants are predominantly from Western Springs and surrounding communities. They must be between the ages of 14 and 21, have graduated from eighth grade and are required to have a clean record.

The benefits, according to Jemison, are significant.

“They get to interact with the public, with a level of responsibility. There’s a great deal of pride that they take within themselves,” he said. “They learn to accept responsibility and how to handle different situations. They’re not afraid, and they understand what police work is about. They’re very proud of what they do.”

For more information about Western Springs Explorer Post 740, call Jemison at (708) 246-8540 Ext. 322.

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