Police Explorers

Coppell Police Department Explorer Post #130

 

What is Law Enforcement Exploring?

Law Enforcement Exploring is a non-profit organization created by Learning for Life (www.learningforlife.org), a division of the Boy Scouts of America.  The program is designed to acquaint young adults (ages 15-21) with the nature and complexities currently facing our nation's  law  enforcement professionals.  The training is as realistic as possible and allows each participant to gage for themselves if the Criminal Justice field is one they should consider as a possible career path.  All Explorers are strictly volunteers.

 

                                                                                                                   

What do Explorers Do?

Explorers provide assistance to the Coppell Police Department and the City of Coppell by volunteering their time at various community events or activities.  Some of these activities include crime prevention programs, child safety programs, traffic direction, crowd control, football games, parades, festivals, and assistance with natural disasters/emergencies.  Explorers also attend weekly post meetings in order to learn about various law enforcement techniques and practices such as crime scene investigations, fingerprinting, traffic enforcement, handcuffing, building searches and many more facets of the profession.

 

Explorer Competitions:

Explorers train to compete against other Explorer teams throughout the area, state and even the nation.  The Texas Law Enforcement Explorers Advisors Association (TLEEAA) holds an annual event that allows these teams to pit their learned skills against one another, with the top participants and teams receiving awards for their performance.  In 2010, our Explorers brought home 2nd Place for "Best Overall Post", which is a huge accomplishment for such a new post.  

 

Explorer Academy:

The Coppell Police Department  holds a two-week "Explorer Police Academy" during the summer months.  The Explorers are exposed to the life of a Police Recruit and what the life of a police recruit is like.  Upon completion of this academy, officers from the police department sponsor a banquet dinner and present awards to the Explorers.  

 

Ride-Out Program (Job Shadowing):

The Ride-Out program allows Explorers to ride along with a police officer and observe them as they work in the field.  This is a way that Explorers can experience law enforcement first hand and gain a better understanding of the criminal justice system.  

 

Qualifications to join:

Both male and female young adults are encouraged to join.  To be considered, applicants must meet the following criteria:

 

     Age -  Minimum age is 15 years old, with the exception that a student who is 14 years old and has completed the 8th grade can be considered.  The maximum age is 21 years old.

 

     School -  Be enrolled in school and maintain at least a "C" (70) or higher GPA.  Must have a high school diploma or GED if not in school.

 

Personal History:

An Explorer cannot have a criminal record, to include arrests or convictions.  Traffic violations do not disqualify an applicant unless it is obvious that he/she is a habitual offender.  Each applicant is expected to avoid the use of illegal narcotics, alcohol or tobacco products and be sound in their health and fitness.  Anyone terminated from employment based on any type of theft or deception is also a disqualifier.  Each candidate must pass a background investigation and maintain a neat/clean appearance.  A candidate under eighteen (18) years of age must have parental consent to enroll in the program.

 

What will it cost to join?

Police Exploring is free to join! Explorers must register with Learning for Life upon acceptance.  Please contact the Post Advisor for information concerning any associated costs with participation in the Post.

 

Fund raising, Donations, Sponsors:

The Post is actively looking for financial support from the community it serves.  If you would like to donate any money or sponsor the Post in anyway, please contact the Post Advisor for details. 

 

Post Meetings:

Post meetings are held the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Tuesdays of each month at the Coppell Police Department Training Room (south entrance of Justice Center).  The meetings start at 6:30 PM and end at approximately 9:30 PM. Explorers meet year round, even during the summer months.

 

For more Information, please contact the Post Advisor:

 

Officer Trevor Grisso 

Coppell Police Department 

130 Town Center Blvd. 

Coppell, Texas. 75019

Office: 214-496-7234

Dispatch:972-304-3610

Email: tgrisso@coppelltx.gov