Law Enforcement Exploring also known as Police Explorers is a career-oriented program that gives young adults the opportunity to explore a career in law enforcement by working with local law enforcement agencies. Founded on July 12, 1973, it is one of the Exploring programs from Learning for Life, a non-Scouting subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America. Activities and Training
Each post is unique a
nd the activities of each depend on their specific department’s policies and guidelines. Typical activities include:
1) Weekly or bi-monthly administrative and training
2) Patrol “ride-alongs”
3) Community Service
4) Ma*****na Field Raid
5) Tubular Assault (neutralizing terrorists in a hijacked bus or airplane)
6) Honor guards
7) Search and Rescue (some ESAR posts specialize in this)
8) Radio procedure (how to properly use police radios)
9) Takedowns and Ground Control (proper use of force)
10) traffic stops (how to perform traffic stops)
11) Building/cell searches (how to search structures for people or evidence)
12) Crime scene investigations (how to search for, log, and process evidence such as fingerprints and DNA)
13) Arrest control (how to properly defend oneself and arrest a suspect)
14) High risk car stops (how to pull over a vehicle deemed wanted for felony or violent crimes)
15) Active shooter (how to engage a gunman in high-risk situations)
16) Crisis negotiations (taking control of a situation through conversation)
17) Report writing (paperwork)
18) Domestic disputes (how to handle domestic conflicts)
19) Weapon training (Baton, Fi****ms, Aerosol Control Device (in most cases, Oleoresin Capsicum) , Electronic Control Devices)
After September 11, 2001, some Explorer posts have focused their training on counter-terrorism, border patrol, and active shooter areas, while still teaching the above listed areas.[1]
Activities
Public events
Public services are a chance for the Explorers to get out in public and interact with the community. Events range from crowd control at parades, to providing security and uniformed presence at events like fairs and sporting events, and directing traffic during mass traffic floods; such as those following sporting and other civic events. Color Guard
Many posts have a Color Guard Team. It consists of a four person team, two riflemen, and two flag bearers. The Color Guard Team is often used for graduations, awards ceremonies, large meetings, and occasionally formal events such as a funeral. Conferences and Competition
Every two years, Learning for Life hosts a National Law Enforcement Explorer Conference, which includes role-playing scenarios that law enforcement officers regularly encounter, seminars, and networking opportunities. The 2010 Conference was held at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. The 2012 Conference will be held at Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Colorado. Depending on regional structure, Explorers may compete several times annually. They perform the skills they have learned (such as traffic stops, building searches, marksmanship, arrests, etc.) usually in the form of scenarios. They are graded by judges against fellow explorers from the region, country, and sometimes world.
