Law Enforcement Exploring, commonly referred to 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's one of the Exploring programs from Learning for Life, a non-Scouting subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America. The program is generally available to qualified young adults who graduated 8th grade and are ages 14 through 21.
Organization
National
Learning for Life coordinates the Law Enforcement Exploring program at the national level. LFL provides resources such as advisor training, sample policies, and insurance. LFL also hosts a biannual conference and competition, the National Law Enforcement Explorer Conference.
Local
Local Explorer programs are chartered by a local law enforcement agency. At least one officer from that agency serves as the post "Advisor". This advisor is responsible for department-level administration of the program, and ensuring that the program meets the departments objectives. Most posts maintain a command structure mirroring that of the hosting agency.
Activities and training
Each post is unique and the activities of each depend on their specific department's policies and guidelines. Typical activities include:
After September 11, 2001, some Explorer posts have focused their training on counter-terrorism, border patrol, drug raids, hostage negotiation, and active shooter areas, while still teaching the above listed areas.
Academy
In some areas of the country, Explorers may go to an Explorer Academy, usually consecutive weekends or week-long to receive training and discipline, similar in nature to that of a real law enforcement academy. The academy ends with a graduation ceremony where certificates and awards are given. Some systems may provide different levels of Academy training, such as:
Basic
Advanced
Explorer Administrative Assistants
Selection
Academy Police Department
Ride Along
A majority of Explorer Training, including Academies are instructed by post advisers.
Activities
Public events
Public services are a chance for the Explorers to get outin 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.
Conferences and competition
Every-other year, 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 2018 Conference was held at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Depending on the regional structure, explorers may compete several times annually. They perform the skills they have learned usually in the form of scenarios. They are graded by judges against fellow explorers from the region, country, and sometimes world.
Awards and recognition
Explorers are eligible for awards and scholarships offered through Learning for Life, and through local and regional Explorer organizations.
Criticism
Sexual abuse
Since the mid-1970s, there have been over 100 reported cases of police officers having sex with Explorers, the vast majority of whom were underage. Such incidents have occurred in at least 66 police departments. Learning for Life has created a set of rules governing the Explorer program, which includes a non-fraternization policy between officers and Explorers. However, it leaves oversight to individual departments. There are no reported cases of Learning for Life revoking a police department's ability to operate an Explorer program over failed oversight leading to one or several incidents of sexual abuse.
Cities forcing posts to disband
Several cities, most notability Los Angeles, California, have forced their police department to disband their Explorer Program due to the Scouts’ of America’s former anti-gay policies and city laws preventing associating with businesses that discriminate. LAPD has replaced their program with the Cadet Program.
