Do you have what it takes to become a  police explorer?

Law enforcement explorers get great experience!

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Many law enforcement agencies such as police departments, sheriff offices and departments, and federal law enforcement entities have explorer posts. Law enforcement exploring is for youths that have finished eighth grade, and are 14 years old, or are 15 years old, but have not reached their 21st birthday. If you want to become a police officer or other law enforcement officer, and meet the criteria, you should try to become an explorer! It is an excellent opportunity!

Different police explorer posts have different requirements. Some posts require that explorer candidates not have a prior conviction for a criminal offense or serious traffic offense, have and maintain a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative grade point average in high school or college, must be physically fit, and have height and weight in proportion.

Law enforcement explorer posts help youths gain insight into a variety of programs that offer hands-on career activities. For young men and women interested in becoming law enforcement officers, exploring offers experiential learning with lots of fun, hands-on activities that promote positive growth and development. Being a law enforcement explorer provides an opportunity for young people to better determine if a career as a law enforcement officer if right for them. Explores often learn about the history of law enforcement, criminal law, traffic law, criminal investigation, ethics, crisis intervention, self defense, physical fitness, first aid, patrol procedures, crime prevention, traffic control and direction, accident investigation, dangerous drugs and narcotics, juvenile delinquency, criminology, and other topics related to law enforcement. Explorer posts provide explorers with character building, leadership development, interpersonal communication skills development, and an appreciation for community services and good citizenship. Explorers learn the importance of teamwork, and comaraderie.

Trained police explorers are often tasked with performing duties such as security checks, bicycle safety inspections, child identification fingerprinting for parents, manning information booth at career fairs or community events, answering telephones or radios, assisting with searches for missing persons, traffic or crowd control at certain events, and data processing. Some law enforcement explorer programs include ride-alongs. Explorers are representatives of their respective departments, and are expected to abide by all policies and procedures, and act in an appropriate and professional manner. Police explorers are usually required to wear uniforms. Many explorer posts compete at the National Law Enforcement Explorer Conference every two years. The NLEEC brings together youth from across the continental United States, Hawaii and as far away as Great Britain. The explorers attend training seminars, network with other explorers and explorer posts, and compete in different aspects of law enforcement.

Being a law enforcement explorer is a great opportunity. Explorers receive great training and experience in the field of law enforcement. The networking that explorers experience can prove invaluable. Explorers often get excellent recommendations from their supervisors that can lead to them getting hired as an officer within the department or with another agency. Does your local law enforcement agency have an explorer program? Find out today!