The mission of the Seattle Police Law Enforcement Exploring program is to bridge the gap between youth and police by educating and involving them in police operations and to interest them in Law Enforcement.
Enhance the Explorer's preparation for future roles as citizen and community members.
Besides gaining a working knowledge of police work, the participants have the opportunity to give of themselves to their community.
Being an Explorer offers many opportunities to learn valuable leadership and life skills, make new friends, interact with the public. The program has helped some achieve a career in policing.
Explorers have many opportunities to apply the training they receive during monthly meetings. For example, members volunteer at community events doing security work, directing traffic and providing overall community service.
Members can also learn first hand how Police Officers do their jobs. Officers and Detectives with special skills are invited to meetings to explain how the Police Department investigates major crimes such as Homicides, Narcotics Violations and Gang Activity. Explorers also make in-person visits to such units as K-9 and Harbor Patrol.
Law enforcement posts conduct a variety of programs and projects featuring safety, training, and service. The following listing is an example of some of the activities and training in which the Explorers may participate.
Candidates interested in becoming Explorers must attend 2 - 4 monthly meetings in succession.
Upon attending the initial meetings, they are given an application. Upon receipt of the completed application, a background check is done on the applicant.
Finally, an oral board is given by a panel of existing Explorers for a final evaluation.
At the successful completion of these procedures, the candidate becomes an Explorer.
There will be a minimum of two meetings per month in which Explorers are required to attend. In addition to these two meetings, Explorers are required to participate in a minimum of one community event per month. Failure to fulfill these requirements may result in the termination of Explorer standing with the Post.