Chico Police Explorers
The Chico Police Department Explorer Post is a youth organization for young people between the ages of 14 and 20 who are interested in a career in Law Enforcement. The program is designed to expose youth to all aspects of Law Enforcement and to aid them in making future career decisions. The program also instills confidence, discipline, self respect, respect for others and focuses on the importance of teamwork.
Explorers are required to donate at least 10 hours a month which include weekly trainings. The trainings cover a wide variety of topics including ethics, physical fitness, tactics and legal issues dealing with various different types of law enforcement activities. Most of the trainings include lecture and plenty of "hands on," roll-playing scenarios.
In addition to weekly trainings, explorers are allowed to participate in other "on the job" training such as riding along with patrol officers, assisting in dispatch and in the department's temporary holding facility.
Explorers also compete against explorers from other agencies around the country at explorer competitions. During these competitions explorers test their skills in various activities such as routine and high risk traffic stops, domestic violence calls, building searches, crime scene investigation and many other law enforcement related activities.
Youth who join the explorer program have a definite head start when it comes to obtaining a career in law enforcement. Prospective employers look at volunteer work and previous experience when they are looking for qualified applicants.
If you are interested in becoming an explorer for the Chico Police Department, please contact Officer Jeff Durkin or Officer Steve Dyke at 897-4911.