Police Explorers: The Future in Law Enforcement

The other day I was driving down to my local grocery store and noticed construction up ahead of me, with moderate traffic congestion, but it was moving steadily. I followed the car ahead of me as we pushed through the clouds of dust that surrounded cars, building, trees, even people. From the looks, it was very messy conditions, and not the best quality of air. All of the constructions workers were wearing face protectors to keep the dirt and dust from entering their lungs. People who happened to get caught up walking on the sidewalks were coughing or holding their noses as they quickly walked away from the horrible conditions.

As the traffic continues further and further to the intersection I noticed that there was one cop in the middle of the road, directing traffic, and was doing a mighty good job. This person had the traffic moving right along, and seemed like he knew exactly what to do. When I got to the head of our line, ready to be allowed to make a left turn, to continue on my journey, I noticed that this "officer" was wearing a traffic vest that said 'Police Explorer' is big, bold, letters on the back. He was dressed in a similar cop uniform, with a radio for communications, but I noticed that his belt seemed empty to what a regular cop usually has. I noticed that this Police Explorer did not have a gun, bullets, pepper spray, or handcuffs. This person, who is in the middle of the road, representing our town, looked quite young. I immediately got the wrong thought - impersonator. I thought that some kid was in the middle of the road acting like a cop for the fun of it. Boy... was I wrong!

I returned home about thirty minutes later, jumped on my computer, and searched Police Explorer. I found out some very cool information!

In, basically, every state in the U.S.A., there is a Police Department Program called 'Police Exploring'. This program is open to youth, ages 14-21 (the average, I found.), and is used to help these young men and women to decide if they would like to presume a career in Law Enforcement. Police Explorers are dedicated, responsible, volunteers who help their community in many ways, while at the same time learning Police tactics, doing mock scenarios, and making new friends!

Police Explorers are put through intense training, and are noticed for their position, and are considered some of the most disciplined, and respected teens in their community. They are trained in many field and departments of Law Enforcement such as: Proper gun use- where they actually go out on a range and shoot guns, and learn aiming, and how to correctly use a gun, and when to use it. Traffic Stops- Police Officers, and volunteers act out a mock scenario in a car, while the Police Explorer works the Police Car lights, and siren, and then steps out and goes up to the car, and settles the situation. They display the skills they learned in these scenarios, as long as many others! Accidents- Police Explorers are once again put under high-stress scenarios and are ordered to treat injured persons, and figure out how an accident happened, along with creating accident reports, and re-creating the scene! First Aid + CPR- Police Officers need to know first aid, and CPR, so why not the Explorers? That's right, they get training in CPR, and first aid, and practice of dummies. Defense Tactics- Explorers are taught how to defend themselves when they are being attacked by suspects, or others, without allowing the aggressor to injure the officer. Building Searches- This seems to be a favorite. This is where the Explorers get to enter into a building, mock weapons drawn, and search the premises for suspects, or objects. Explorers need to calm the person down, and get the situation under control, and detain any aggressors.

All of their training is life-like, and usually hands on. However, they also do report to a class room and get lectures and book training! They receive presentations from Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) members, K-9 Officers, as long as many other units in the Law Enforcement team.

One day a year a program called Stations Day is held at a different location around the world. Police Explorers go head-to-head with other Explorers around the world to determine who is the best in many different areas. Awards are given out for fitness, search tactics, felony stops, appearance, and other police-like work that the Explorers need to display out on the field.

Don't think they just stop at doing mock scenarios, no no no! They are very active in the community. They do park clean ups, and other helpful activities to improve the town. Explorers allow paid officers to focus on keeping the town safe, as the Explorers are assigned to do traffic duty, patrolling at public events, and other functions that regular officers, with arresting powers are not needed.

These young men and women are the future of Law Enforcement and should be respected for their hard work and dedication to their police department, their community, but also themselves. Many teens around the world are going the wrong way with their lives, but not these wonderful teens. I sure do hope each and every one, that has earned it, is given a badge and a gun and is allowed to become what they have always wanted to!

Help out! Contact your local Police Department and inquire about their Police Explorers program, or a local one, and find out how you can help! Don't just do it for yourself... do it for them.