Explorer Post 602

Berrien County Explorer Patch

Law Enforcement Career Exploring

  • National Director: Bill Taylor

Law Enforcement Career Exploring is open to young men and women ages 14 (and completed the 8th grade) and not yet 21 years old with an interest in learning more about careers in the field of law enforcement.

Law Enforcement Exploring provides educational training programs for young adults on the purposes, mission, and objectives of law enforcement. The program provides career orientation experiences, leadership opportunities, and community service activities. The primary goals of the program are to help young adults choose a career path within law enforcement and to challenge them to become responsible citizens of their communities and the nation.

Agencies from federal, state, and local levels coordinate the Law Enforcement Exploring programs throughout the United States. The majority of the community programs are managed by local police departments, including Sheriffs, Chiefs of Police, and State Police. In addition, many federal agencies offer their support. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Federal Air Marshal Service, U.S. Army Military Police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and U.S. Secret Service provide national programs, scholarships, workshops, and literature. Also, Law Enforcement Exploring is supported by the National Sheriffs' Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Nationally, over 33,000 Explorers and 8,425 adult volunteers participate in Law Enforcement Exploring. The program highlights include: the National Law Enforcement Exploring Leadership Academies, ride-alongs, career achievement awards, National Law Enforcement Exploring Conferences, and scholarship opportunities.

See our Explorer Brochure (PDF) for additional information.

Future Careers

The most popular Law Enforcement Exploring careers include:

  • Police officers
  • Sheriffs
  • Federal agents
  • State Police/Highway Patrol
  • Probation officers
  • Military police
  • Correction officers

Law Enforcement Exploring combines some classroom training with Ride-Alongs in police vehicles, Pistol Shooting, Community Policing and much more.

Personal Development

You will develop:

  • Leadership Skills
  • Respect for police officers and explorers
  • New personal skills
  • Marksmanship
  • Law enforcement protocols

You will learn:

  • Accident scene procedures
  • Bomb threat response
  • Proper equipment usage

You will have an opportunity to participate in:

  • Ride-Alongs
  • National events and competitions
  • Community service

You will have an opportunity to network with:

  • Explorers across the country
  • Law enforcement officers
  • Federal agencies

You will learn about the educational requirements for a career in law enforcement and will receive tangible advice on steps you could take now to prepare and position yourself for a successful career in the field of law enforcement

Benefits

Law Enforcement Career Exploring will provide you with the following benefits:

  • Improved self-confidence
  • Leadership experience and social network development
  • Fun and exciting "hands-on" career experiences
  • Community service opportunities
  • College and career readiness preparation
  • Team building

Meetings

Meetings are held the first and third Thursday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m.