On Monday, the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois launched its Police Explorer Program.
“‘The Police Explorer Program is a proven model that is nationally respected,’ [Grundy County Sheriff Kevin Callahan said],” as reported by the Morris Daily Herald. “‘…It provides career orientation experiences, leadership opportunities, and community service activities, with the ultimate goal of the program to help young adults choose a career path within law enforcement, and to challenge them to become responsible citizens of their communities and the nation.”
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The Grundy County Sheriff Office is just one of many law enforcement agencies that run such programs across the country. Many Explorer programs resume or start in September, at which time they recruit youth to join. Some are already in session, with ongoing recruitment. Others start at other times of year or run as week long (or longer) camps.
According to Learning for Life (the national body that coordinates the Explorer Programs), “over 33,000 Explorers and 8,425 adult volunteers participate in Law Enforcement Exploring” across the country.
Eligibility
Generally police/sheriff/law enforcement explorer programs are geared towards youth who have already completed grade 8, and who are between the ages of 14 and 21. However, some law enforcement agencies run programs for younger students as well. (For example, the Redding Police Department in Connecticut recently advertised that it’s recruiting students in grade 6 to 8 who will be eligible to stay in the program until they are 21.)
Criteria for becoming an Explorer are detailed by each law enforcement agency. Generally these include maintaining a specified GPA, attending orientation meetings, completing an application form, interview and background check (note that minor offenses on a police record may not disqualify applicants), having permission from legal guardians and paying an affordable participation fee.
The Experience
Police and Sheriff’s Explorer programs tend to meet once or twice a month (or sometimes more frequently).
Youth explorers learn many skills and gain varied experiences, all while building relationships with law enforcement mentors and making new friends.
“For example, members volunteer at community events doing security work, directing traffic, fingerprinting small children, and helping with Crime Prevention Programs,” says the Seattle Police Department. “Members can also learn first hand how Police Officers do their jobs. Officers and Detectives with special skills are invited to meetings to explain how the Police Department investigates major crimes such as Homicides, Narcotics Violations and Gang Activity. Explorers also make in-person visits to such units as K-9 and Harbor Patrol.”
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department adds that explorer activities and lessons can range from ride-alongs, crime scene search and first aid to communications, custody operations, field trips and fundraising events.
Note that there are also other criminal justice explorer programs, such as with Federal Agencies, Corrections Departments, Military Police Departments, Probation Offices and Highway Patrol, says Learning for Life.
Contact your nearest law enforcement agency (municipal, state or federal) to see if it offers an Explorer Program. It’s a good idea to do this as soon as possible as some programs have September registration deadlines.