Law Enforcement Explorer Program Aids Teens Interested in Criminal Justice

Do you know anyone age 14 to 21 who is interested in a career in law enforcement? The Law Enforcement Explorer program is a unique and rewarding training program that provides teenagers with hands-on experience and firsthand knowledge of what a career in law enforcement will be like.

In addition to the Explorer program being a great opportunity for teens interested in a career in law enforcement, it also helps to build character and self esteem. Even if they chose not to pursue a career in the law enforcement field, the Explorer program helps keep teens away from gangs and drugs and make them productive citizens. It gives them the knowledge to know why crime life is damaging, the experience to see how it turns out and the strength, courage and support to say no.

Explorer’s meet at least once a month, usually twice a month, to receive training, discuss upcoming events, trips and community service projects.

Explorer’s are uniformed in a standard police or deputy uniform (with the police patches removed), tactical boots, hand cuffs and duty belt. Some post pay for these uniforms and some require the Explorer to pay. My son’s post, Post 911, Carrollton GA. provides the Explorer uniform. They also provide additional casual clothing that the Explorer’s wear to community service events. They consist of bright, highly visible, neon green/yellow t-shirt clearly marked with the words Police Explorer, and other Explorere t-shirts.

Some types of training the Explorers receive will be in crime scene investigations, felony traffic stops, radio procedures, leadership training, firearms training, gangs, drugs, first aid (they will get CPR certified), physical fitness, fingerprinting, illegal drugs, traffic accidents, hostage situations, ride along procedures and more.

They are also required to participate in community service projects, such as canned food drives, Christmas toy drives, coat and blanket drive, senior citizen visits, fan drive, and charitable fund raisers. They also work traffic for local sporting events.

Explorer’s get a chance to use the training they receive by competing in state and national Explorer competitions. These competitions are a test in strength, knowledge and ability to assess situations quickly and accurately. The scenarios they will have to face are similar to those in actual cadet training.

Some examples of competitions at the Explorer conference:

Burglary
Explorer’s will respond to a burglary call. They do not know if the perpetrator is still inside or not. They must proceed with the investigation as they are challenged with unknown dangers. They are graded on their investigation.

Firearms Shooting and Competitions
Explorer’s get a chance to put to use the firearms training they receive throughout the year. They can win trophies and ribbons for their marksmanship. The compete in laser-equipped shoot or not shoot scenes.

First Aid
Explorer’s are asked to respond to an incident where someone has been injured. The injuries could be broken bones, unconsciousness, heart attacks, excessive bleeding, etc.

The Explorer will be graded on his ability to access the injury and provide the proper first aid necessary until EMT help arrives at the scene.

Crime Scene
Explorer’s arrive to the scene of a crime. They will be judged on how well they secure the crime scene and their ability to collect evidence.

Domestic Calls
Explorer’s will arrive at a domestic disturbance call and try to determine the facts in the case. As in real domestic calls, the situation could change for bad to worse, or it could work itself out peacefully. The way the Explorer handles the subjects will have a lot to do with how the situation turns out.

There are many more competitions: traffic stops, automobile accidents, hostage negotiating, DUI’s, etc.

Explorer’s are representatives of the local police or sheriff’s department that they are assigned to and are expected to conduct themselves as such. Explorer’s must maintain good grades and not have disciplinary problems. Anytime an Explorer is on official duty, he must wear his uniform which displays the post name.

The Explorer program is not only educational but it is also very fun and rewarding. In addition to the trips taken for competition, a good Explorer post will also take fun trips. Post 911,Carrollton, GA, have taken their Explorer’s on white water rafting trip, visits to Six Flags, ball games, etc.

Explorer’s are also eligible for scholarships and awards.

If you are interested in becoming a Law Enforcement Explorer, or you know someone who is, you can search the Internet to find the closest Explorer post to your area. You can also go to the Learning for Life Exploring website. From the menu on the left, choose “local office.” You will then put in your zip code and be given the Learning for Life office that will direct you to the closest post. If you are fortunate enough to have several close by, visit them and see which one you like better. Some posts have more desire and/or resources to devote to the Explorer program.

You will need to fill out an application to become an Explorer. Some posts require letters of recommendation from teachers and other productive community members. You may have to write an essay stating why you want to become an Explorer. You may have provide a copy of your latest report card. The Explorer’s are trusted with confidential information and adult type responsibilities and they are serious about only allowing top notch teens into the program.

Good luck!

SOURCES:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_Enforcement_Exploring
http://www.carrolltonpd.com/community_programs.html
http://www.learning-for-life.org/exploring/lawenforcement/nleec/factsheet.pdf
http://www.carrolltonpd.com/community_programs.html#explorer_post
http://www.learning-for-life.org/exploring/scholarships/index.html
http://www.learning-for-life.org/exploring/scholarships/pdf/leprof.pdf
http://www.learning-for-life.org/exploring/lawenforcement/