Benjamin Jimenez from Chicago Heights reflects on his past, describing himself as a once rebellious youth. Despite never getting into serious trouble, Jimenez admits, “I was a lot less respectable and a little mean.” Today, as a graduate of Bloom High School, he leads the Law Enforcement Explorer Post #102, guiding 21 young individuals aged 14 to 21 towards a better path.
Jimenez describes his transformation from shy to confident. He now speaks to groups including fellow Explorers and veterans. “I speak, I raise morale a little bit,” he shares, adding, “I feel like a new man.” His experiences have inspired him to consider a career in law enforcement. He’s pursuing an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice at Prairie State College. Jimenez acknowledges the demanding nature of the job, stating, “Sometimes you have to yell.”
The Explorers assisted with crowd control at the Fiesta Chicago Heights event. Elisa Serrato from the Chicago Heights Police Department was also present to support. Their dedication earned the Chicago Heights post a first-place award in beginner de-escalation at the Illinois Law Enforcement Youth Association state competition.
Officer Philip Esposito plays a key role in the development of the Explorer program. A former Explorer himself, he saw gang violence firsthand in Chicago and Cicero. This experience motivated him to be part of the solution by joining the police force. He said, “Anything you do in life has some type of risk or danger, and in this role, that risk was okay to take.”
Since the creation of the Chicago Heights post, three members have pursued careers as police officers, while four have joined the military. Recent Fiesta Chicago Heights attendees included Chicago Heights Police Chief Arturo Robles, Jimenez, and Esposito. Robles, a long-time supporter, was an Explorer himself in 1985.
Janireah Williams-Hale, an Explorer from Glenwood and a senior at Bloom High School, shares how the program encouraged her personal growth. “It’s really made me into a better leader,” she says. Fellow Explorer Maria Roa, 17, wants to improve public perceptions of police and has been motivated by negative media portrayals. “I see a lot of news broadcasts where police are represented as aggressive and racist. I want to change that.”