Police Explorers
What is a Police Explorer?
The Bakersfield Police Department's Explorer Program is an extension of the
Boy Scouts of America. The program provides an opportunity for young men and
women to experience first-hand how a police department functions and what it
takes to get started in a challenging career in law enforcement. The program,
geared around law enforcement, gives youth self-confidence, discipline, and
a feeling of community involvement. The youths are trained in all aspects of
law enforcement, including report writing, traffic stops, crime scene investigation,
defensive tactics, firearm safety, arrest procedures, crimes in progress, etc.
Police
Explorers perform a variety of community services which is
not only personally satisfying but valuable experience which
is frequently asked for when applying for college. The Explorers
work with the Crime Prevention Unit assisting with Neighborhood
Watch programs, D.A.R.E. functions, Fright Night, McGruff
the Crime Dog, and larger events such as National Night Out,
the Christmas Parade and the Bakersfield Business Conference.
They provide traffic control for the Valley Plaza through
the Christmas season and through out the year for various
marathons, triathlons and runs. One of their favorite annual
events is the AT&T Pro Am Golf Tournament in Pebble Beach
for which they have provided traffic control for many years.
The Explorers are used frequently by the department as role players during training exercises for the police academy and during Advanced Officer School training. During training the department needs actors to play the roles of victims and witnesses and most often criminals. It is just as much a learning experience for the Explorer as it is the police officer in training.
Explorers
are able to ride patrol with officers on a regular basis
if they choose to do so which enables them to gain enough
personal experience to make an informed decision as to whether
they really want to pursue a career in law enforcement.
The Explorer Post competes in the Boy Scouts of America National Law Enforcement
Conference bi annually which is hosted in a different city each time, alternating
from the East to West Coast. Over 3000 Explorers nationwide compete in a variety
of law enforcement related activities, to determine who the best of the best
in each category is.
Another exciting annual event for the post is the Law Enforcement Explorer Academy at the University of San Diego. It is a week long boot camp like Police Academy where the Explorer learns various aspects of police work.
Who can be a Police Explorer?
If you are interested in becoming a Police Explorer, you must be 14 ½ to 20 years old. If you are under the age of 18 you need parental consent to participate in the Explorer Program. You should have a general interest and appreciation for law enforcement. You must have and maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 or better, be of good moral character, abstain from using alcohol and drugs and must not have a felony conviction.
The Police Department recruits bi annually for the Post. The first step is the written examination. If you attain a passing score the process is followed by an oral interview and a background investigation. If you are accepted into the program you will remain a probationary Explorer for four months and will be allowed to participate in certain activities. After passing the probationary period you will be required to wear the Explorer uniform and have full access to the opportunities available through the program.
The Explorer meetings are every other Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. Explorers are required to attend the meetings and volunteer a minimum of 15 hours per month. In addition to the aforementioned functions, Explorers volunteer their time throughout the Police Department but primarily within the Property Room, Crime Scene Unit and Records sections.
If you are interested in becoming a Police Explorer contact the Head Explorer Advisor, Cindy London at (661)326-3024 or clondon@bakersfieldpd.us
