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Explorer Program
What is "Exploring?"
The mission of the Explorer 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. Exploring is for young men and women 14 to 21 years of age and is designed to enhance the Explorer's preparation for future roles as citizens and community members. Being an Explorer offers many opportunities to learn valuable leadership and life skills, make new friends, interact with the public and most of all, have fun.
What Do Explorers Do?:
Explorers have many opportunities to apply the training they receive. For example, members can volunteer at community events doing security work, directing traffic, fingerprinting small children, and helping with Crime Prevention Programs.
Explorers also learn firsthand 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.
Qualifications and Requirements:
A potential Explorer must attend two monthly meetings. Upon attending the second meeting, they are given an application. Upon receipt of the completed application, a background check is done on the applicant and a one-on-one interview is conducted with an Explorer Advisor. A panel of existing Explorers then conducts an oral interview. At the successful completion of these procedures, the candidate becomes an Explorer.
There will be a minimum of two meetings per month, one for training and one to conduct business, 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's standing with the post.
If you are interested in finding out more about this volunteer program, please contact Officer Erden Jakupi at 623-936-2788 or by email at Erden.Jakupi@tolleson.az.gov.