Exploring is one of the phases of the Boy Scouts of America program however, an explorer may be male or female and is not a scout. The program was formed in 1972 at the police headquarters, then located at 711 Liberty Street. The Jacksonville Police Explorers, Post #948 and Post #949, was created to provide a better understanding of law enforcement careers through training and education. The intent of the post is to educate and involve youth in police operations and interest them in law enforcement, whether they decide to serve in a policing capacity or not.
Selection:
The post shall be composed of persons between the ages of fifteen and twenty-one years of age. No application will be after the applicant's 19th birthday. An applicant who has not graduated from high school must maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average. Each member will be required to turn in his or her school report card at the end of each grading period.
Training:
The post provides each Explorer with training in various fields of law enforcement. This allows the Explorers to participate in such areas as:
Police ride-alongs Working with the Communications Center Working with the Pre-Trail Detention Facility Assisting with public awareness programs
Explorer Academy Course Requirements:
I. General Information
This class will consist of sixty-four classroom hours and includes a variety of law enforcement related topics. The classes will meet at the Police Memorial Building at 501 E. Bay Street, days and times may vary. Explorers will be required to meet several different criteria to successfully complete the program and graduate.
II. Appearance
Explorers are required to dress appropriately for class. They must be neat and clean at all times. They will be representing the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the City of Jacksonville and should take pride in their appearance.
III. Protocol
The Explorers will elect a class leader during the third week of class. That leader will maintain the position for the remainder of the class unless removed by the instructor. Also, there is absolutely no smoking or use of any tobacco products permitted inside the Police Memorial Building or in any Sheriff's Office vehicle.
IV. Attendance
An Explorer may miss up to eight hours of the sixty-four hour class, provided the absence is due to illness or an emergency. When returning to class, the Explorer must present a note from his or her parent/guardian. If the Explorer misses over eight hours, he or she will not be allowed to continue the class.
V. Academics
The Explorer will be required to keep a notebook. The notebook will be collected twice during the academy class and will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
If you have any questions or want further information about the Police Explorers Program, contact Officer Anderson in the Community Affairs Division of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at (904) 630-2160.