POLICE EXPLORER PROGRAM

Explorer’s Patch The Paso Robles Police Explorer Post, an extension of the Boy Scouts of America, provides an opportunity for young men and women to experience first hand how a police department functions and what it takes to get started with a challenging career in law enforcement. Explorer’s are taught criminal law, report writing, radio codes, traffic control, first-aid, military drill, police procedures, and other basic techniques.

Police Explorers perform a variety of community services, such as crowd control at parades, festivals, and special events. They are in a position to be called out to assist police officers in emergency situations, such as searching for missing children, searching for evidence, assisting at major disaster scenes, or to perform any other duties required by the Police Department.

Explorers participate in the Police Department’s Ride-Along Program. This enables the Explorer to observe the actual functions of police officers as they perform their duties in the field and helps the Explorer decide if this type of occupation is suitable for them. The program objectives and goals are to build leadership skills, build on levels of maturity, and to build self-confidence and discipline. They learn about service to the community, and basic public relations. They learn how to handle emergency situations and the functions of the Police Department and the duties of the officers. This program is geared toward those who are interested in learning and participating in the specific aspects of police work and the Criminal Justice System.

There are three types of activities that explorers participate in during their involvement in this program. These activities include job oriented, educational and social/recreational. Job oriented activities include most aspects of non-hazardous law enforcement such as participation in parades, crowd and traffic control, working in communications and assisting the D.A.R.E. Officer and others with their duties at public functions. For more information on activities, visit the Central Coast Law Enforcement Explorer Competition page.

The educational aspect is designed to be law enforcement oriented but not limited to such specific topics. The Explorer Post organizes it activities around six experience levels such as career development, social activities, service to community, leadership skills and physical fitness. These activities help them to learn and understand more fully the meaning and benefits of maintaining balance in their lives. It helps to show them responsibility towards the community; being mentally, emotionally and physically fit.

The social and recreational aspect of the program is designed to be both fun and developmental, and the activities are only limited by the imagination of those involved. Beyond these goals and objectives, these activities help to build high ethical character, teamwork, leadership skills and self-esteem.

Explorer Post Goals

To provide positive teenage activities through community involvement
To supply a reserve pool of individuals for emergencies or for community service
To provide elementary law enforcement training
To create the potential for young people to learn responsibility and leadership skills
To give Explorers the experience necessary for them to make an educated decision as to whether law enforcement is the future for them
To promote a spirit of cooperation through personal growth and group development

Membership Requirements

Between the ages of 14 and 18 at the time of application and in high school
Be free of any serious physical or mental deficiency which would limit participation in the program
Have no serious criminal record or excessive traffic violations
Maintain a “C” grade average while a student in high school or college

How to Apply for Membership

Attend three consecutive meetings
Pass an oral interview
Pass a background investigation
For more information on membership, interested individuals should attend an Explorer meeting as a “guest”
Complete and return the Explorer Application (find it here)

Meeting Schedule

Day: Every Other Monday
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Place: Paso Robles Police Department
900 Park Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Contact: Officer Kelley Lachance: 227-7463