(Editor’s note: “A June 2014 interview was conducted with Lt. Joe Gliniewicz, for the purpose of an article regarding the Fox Lake Explorer Post 300, and its accomplishments. That article is printed here as a tribute to its leader, affectionately known as “G. I. Joe.”)

Lt. Joe Gliniewicz poses next to the trophy shelf, filled with honors obtained and earned by the Fox Lake Explorers Post 300, during its many national and state competitions. 42 of them were won at Tactical competitions in Chandler, Ariz. against much larger metro and sheriff’s office troops, with larger resources. Fox Lake is entirely self-funded through donations and parking details. (Photo by Gregory Harutunian/for Chronicle Media)

In 1984, then-Det. Rich Goode organized the initial incarnation of Fox Lake Explorer Post 300 as a member of the village’s Police Department through the Boy Scouts of America. It was part of their career-oriented umbrella with a focus on law enforcement, and co-ed. By 2005, the curricula had been moved under the “learning for life” theme to follow an educational component.

“We presently have 22 individuals in the post, and at one time, there was twice that number,” said Lt. Joe Gliniewicz. “Prospective members come in, observe for three consecutive meetings, and then, we ask if they want to join. We’re kind of like an explorers program on steroids because we meet every Wednesday, and only 10 weekends per year, are we not engaged in some activity.

“Essentially, we are a self-funded operation through donations and paying details, such as parking, traffic direction, and crowd control. This is open to young men and women, ages 14-21, and the only requirements are not having a criminal background, and do have a willingness to learn.”

The village recognized the value of the group in 2008, and formally added them as a volunteer arm of the municipality through its police department, an act signed by former Mayor Cindy Irwin. Nancy Rogers, the village’s Parks and Recreation Department director, then set up the group with a headquarters and meeting place in the basement of the old Lions Club, located at 23 South Street in Fox Lake.

“We have numerous training seminars, for instance, the leadership education training is a nine-day basic residential academy with a 128-hour curriculum, and if you do the math … that’s up at 5 a.m. until midnight for nine days,” said Gliniewicz. “We also go to tactical competitions each year, which entails a 48-hour basic tactical course.

“A better description of that … it amounts to a basic S.W.A.T. (Special Weapons and Tactics) program and reaction to different situations.”

PHOTO LEGEND(BEHAN AND JOE): Former Fox Lake police chief Mike Behan, and Lt. Joe Gliniewicz, in the chief’s office, during a 2014 interview regarding the village’s identity as a community resource. Behan retired last month, following a distinguished career with the department. (Photo by Gregory Harutunian/for Chronicle Media)

Fox Lake’s post entered the national tactical competitions (held in Chandler, Ariz.) in 2007, with a five-man group entered in five events, and returned with two first-place trophies in the events of “hostage negotiation,” and “hostage rescue.”

“What I am most proud of,” he said, “this is a diverse group of teenagers who come together, will train for specific competitions, and that’s 400-plus hours, from September through January, utilizing our own nucleus for training regimens and execution, spend almost three days driving to the site (Chandler, Ariz.), going into competition around three hours after our arrival.

“It’s against such post agencies as the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office, Las Vegas Metro, North Las Vegas Police Department, and several other prominent agencies. We come home, after placing in the 85-95 percentile range of our competitions. That speaks volumes.”

The trophy shelf now holds 72 prizes and citations, with 42 coming from the tactical competitions at Chandler, Ariz., and the remainder coming from standard law enforcement competitions at the national and state levels.

Gliniewicz was a 21-year member of the Fox Lake Police Department having come up through the ranks, as many officers and administrative officials before him. Fox Lake Police Chief Mike Behan, also rose through the ranks, and now approaches the 10-year mark of tenure in the position.

“It’s been a thrill to see them excel and go on to become productive and responsible members of our community,”’ said Behan. “Our police department has steadily worked to change the perceptions that existed about us, to one of being a resource for residents to use, and count on. The Explorer Post 300 is exemplary of an outlet for young people that helps instill those leadership qualities that make a good citizen.”

Word gets out about the post group. They currently have the accepted the parking contract for the Lake County Fair, Waucondafest, and the Wauconda Rodeo. Gliniewicz also noted that the group provides assistance for “every Fox Lake event, and emergency situation.”

“Last spring, when the flooding hit so badly, the post members were out shoveling and filling sandbags at an incredible rate, and in the hardest hit areas,” said Gliniewicz. “The Fox Lake Explorer Post is a program that brings out the best in young people, and ultimately points to better things. It gives them the confidence and self-reliance to handle situations.”

“It’s a step toward being a positive impact, and a leader in the community.”

— Community leadership is Fox Lake Explorer Post’s ultimate goal —