THE POLICE EXPLORER PROGRAM
Affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America “Learning for Life” program, Explorer Post 602 membership is open to boys and girls age 14-20 who are interested in a career in law enforcement. The Arlington Police Department’s Explorer Post 602 is on of the longest running posts in Texas, introducing hundreds of youths to a career in law enforcement.
Members receive police related training and the structure of the most mirrors that of a typical police department where opportunities for leadership are based on promotion. Explorers are challenged to expand their knowledge of policing as well as their civic roles within the community through service. They are trained in several different aspects preparing them for a career in law enforcement.
The program dates are are based on the school calendar year, and 2018-2019 has been a very successful year for this class of 25 APD Explorers, one of the largest classes in years, including 10 new Explorer graduates who completed the eleven week academy. Throughout the year this class attended many competitions including: The Plano X Competition for advanced Explorers and consists of only 10 of the of the best teams in the area. Our APD Explorers took 3rd place. On April 6, 2019 a team took 2nd in the overall competition, and at a competition in Houston April 13 the team took first place. Many competitions will be held in the summer of 2019, including a week long SLEEA Academy in Gulfport/Biloxi Mississippi.
The APD Explorers are also very involved in community service which for the 2018-19 school year include supporting National Night Out, Then Joey Cushman 5K Run, The North Davis Church of Christ Fall Festival, Vehicle Burglary Report Cards during the Holiday Season to help reduce theft, Santa Cops, The Back the Blue Bash, and the July 4th Parade.
The biggest expenditures for the Explorer program are the cost to send the Explorers to the competitions, equipment as needed and the cost of the Annual Awards Banquet. The Foundation is proud to have fully funded most of the competitions and events in 2018, along with the Awards Banquet.
Providing financial support for the Explorer Program, youth preparing for a career in law enforcement will continue to be a high priority for the Foundation.