Law Enforcement Explorers

To become an explorer, the young person must be in high school and passing all subjects.  They go through a process similar to what a police officer goes through to get hired.  They fill out an extensive application and go through a complete background check.  If they are driving, their driving record is checked as well and they must pass an interview board made up of current explorers and police officers.

The program is designed to give young people a good overview of law enforcement so they can decide if police work is for them.  It is also a resource for the police department in it's recruiting effort.  There are several officers and jailers currently working for Irving who are former law enforcement explorers.  Several other metroplex cities are also benefiting from our program as they have hired several of our former explorers as police officers and jailers.

These young people receive training in several different aspects of police work.  They are also given an opportunity to put this knowledge to work by participating in regional, state and national competitions.

Some areas of training they receive is in accident investigation, traffic stops, crime scene search, drug warrant arrests, domestic violence, hostage negotiations, burglary in progress calls and many other areas of law enforcement activity.

Our explorers are given the opportunity to ride with experienced police officers to see exactly what happens during an officer's tour of duty.  While riding with the officer, the explorer has a chance to see how the training they received is put to work in "real life".

Not only do the explorers receive training in law enforcement, they are also permitted to work with the officers assigned to the different divisions within the police department.  Some of the more popular areas that explorers work are; Criminal Investigations Division (C.I.D.), I.D. (crime scene technicians), Communications and, of course, Patrol where they ride with the officer on the street.

The explorers are involved in many community events as well.  They participate in bike rodeos, safety fairs, Operation I.D. and many other worthwhile activities.  Most explorers are also involved in school, church and other civic activities.

Competition is an exciting and nerve racking time for the explorers.  They are competing with explorers from all over the state and nation in the various areas for which they have received training.

Below are a few of the photos from the Regional Competition held in Colorado Springs, Colorado (June 2000):

Below are a few of the photos from the State Competition at Duncanville, TX where the team set a new State Record in the Physical Agility competition:

Below are a few of the photos from the Katy, TX Competition:

Below are a few of the photos from the Beaumont, TX Competition:

 

Explorers on IPD Indoor Range

Explorers in competition

 

Explorers, Parents and Kids

Gathered for a bike rodeo

A few of our past Explorers with some of the trophies won by the post