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Home - Explorer - Parents - Info - Important dates
"Tell me, I will forget. Show me, I may remember, but involve me and I will understand."
Explorer Post Information
I would like to tell you about the Genesee County Sheriff’s Explorer program. The Explorer program is designed to introduce students to the career of law enforcement. We teach and train the students what it is like to be a police officer so they can see if law enforcement is a career for them.
The Explorer program is a division of the Boy Scouts of America. Our program has been in existence for over twenty-five years. There are numerous Law Enforcement Explorer Posts throughout the State of Michigan. I myself am a former explorer and can tell you that I was well prepared for my career in law enforcement. I know of several former Explorers that have gone into Law Enforcement careers locally. The Sheriff’s Department currently employees thirteen former explorers.
Our Explorer Post meets weekly throughout the school year on Tuesday evenings from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Skill Center on Torry Rd north of Hill Rd, near the Airport. Students must be between the ages of 14 and 20 to join. They must attend school and maintain good grades. Students must be good citizens and help out in their community. We currently have over 20 Students enrolled.
During the meetings, students are instructed on criminal and traffic laws. They are taught how to handle various police matters such as domestic violence, traffic stops, accident investigation, crime scene and building searches. These are just a few of the many topics we cover. The classes are taught either by myself or we bring in an officer who is an expert on the material.
The Explorer Program is run in a strict, paramilitary style. Students will learn to march, drill and do physical training as well as class work. Students wear a uniform to all meetings that they must buy.
The Explorers also participate in competitions, seminars and the youth police academy that is sponsored by the Michigan Youth Law Enforcement Training Council. This is held at the Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, Michigan. The students will stay on sight and live in the barracks during the seven days of training. The days are filled with physical and classroom training and lots of marching. The students really enjoy the Youth Academy and look forward to it every year.
Sheriff Pickell and I believe police officers should not only know and enforce the law but also be an asset to the community. That is why the Explorers not only learn about law enforcement issues; they also help out in the community. The post has helped with traffic control at the CRIM Festival of Races; they have fingerprinted young children at special safety events and have participated in food drives for local charities.
If you have any concerns or questions feel free to contact me at any time.
Thank you, Deputy Lopez
Sheriff Robert J. Pickell
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