Members of the Sonoma County CHP Explorer post and their advisers with their
trophies from last week's Explorer competition in Paso Robles. Back row, from left,
CHP Officer Nick Herman, Officer Blair Hardcastle, Explorer Shane Young, Explorer
Tim Gooler, Explorer Carlos Velasco, Explorer James Ornell, Explorer Lt. Brandon
Close and Officer Brian Wood. Front row: Explorer Branden Beckstrand, Explorer Sgt.
Erik Epting, Explorer Sal Becerra and Explorer Kevin Preinitz. CHP photo
Dozens of teenagers across the North Coast are learning the ins and outs of police work, including arrest procedures, vehicle stops, traffic control, criminal investigations and, in some cases, firearms training.
It’s all part of the Explorers program offered at several police agencies and administered by the Boy Scouts under the organization Learning for Life. Officers from each department serve as advisers to each Explorer post.
Explorers typically go for ride-alongs with police officers; volunteer to help with traffic control at DUI checkpoints and special events, such as parades; and train in police procedures and physical fitness. Some also attend regional competitions. For example, the Sonoma County CHP Explorers won trophies last week at the Central Coast Law Enforcement Explorer Competition in Paso Robles in night traffic stops, crime scene investigation, domestic violence investigation and vehicle patrol.
The program is open to boys and girls ages 14 through 20, although some agencies have tighter age restrictions and some require background checks.
Local agencies participating includes the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, CHP in Sonoma and Lake counties and police departments in Windsor, Sonoma, Rohnert Park, Ukiah, Sebastopol, Petaluma and Cotati.
For the young men and women, the Explorer program gives them a taste of police work to help them decide whether it’s the job for them. Several local officers have gotten their start as police Explorers.
For more information, contact the local Boy Scouts council in Santa Rosa at 546-8137.
In addition to the police Explorers, the Boy Scouts council administers Explorer programs in fire and emergency services and aviation.
