Police Explorers: Discovering Career Options in Law Enforcement

Police Explorers: Discovering Career Options in Law Enforcement

(ROCKWALL, TX — January 29, 2019) For young adults exploring potential career options, the Rockwall Police Department offers a program providing an invaluable experience of what it’s like to work in law enforcement. Designed by the Boy Scouts of America and administered through the Learning for Life organization, the Rockwall Police Explorer Program offers participants the opportunity to learn about the possible career choices available in law enforcement today.

“You can learn police techniques, procedure, everything we learn as police officers,” said Rockwall Police Sergeant Steve Brassil, who played a big part in helping charter the program at the Rockwall Police Department in 2016. “It’s really cool and is something I wish I had access to when I was younger and considering a career in law enforcement.”

The program strives to build good character and promote good citizenship, while encouraging participants to develop personal and mental fitness. Explorers not only learn within a classroom setting, they also experience real world scenarios with practical exercises held outside the classroom. For instance, Brassil said the program partners with local schools to conduct active shooter drills where Explorers can practice police procedures to apprehend the suspect.

“We also have a Ride Along program Explorers participate in that allows them to experience real police contacts up close. It’s highly beneficial and is what sets us apart from other similar school programs,” Brassil said.

The Police Explorer Program is open to both male and female young adults between the ages of 14 and 20 years of age (parental permission required if under the age of 17). To become a member, you must be enrolled in a high school and maintain a “C” average in each subject. In addition, you must pass a thorough background investigation and an interview with a review board.

“The interview for the Explorer program is very important because we do a similar style to how to get hired on a police department,” Brassil said. “This way, those interested in participating in the program can become familiar with the types of questions they will be asked in the future if they decide to pursue a career in law enforcement.”

Once accepted into the program, each Explorer must complete the Basic Explorer Training program taught by Explorer Advisors. Classes are held every Monday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Rockwall Police Department.

Explorers are volunteers and are not commissioned as sworn peace officers; they have no enforcement authority beyond that of any citizen. As the name suggests, the program mostly serves as a valuable means for participants to explore avenues in the law enforcement career field.

“The best thing that this program offers its participants is if they’re curious about a career in law enforcement, they can see now if this is something they want to pursue or not,” Brassil said.

Brassil said being a part of the Police Explorer program has been the highlight of his career in law enforcement.

“It’s very rewarding having the parents of these kids tell us that the program has changed their kids for the better. It’s been the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done in my 17-year career in law enforcement,” he said.

To learn more about the Police Explorer program contact Sergeant Steve Brassil at 972 -772-6727 or Officer Christopher Cleveland at 972 -772-6746.

By Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News. Courtesy photos.

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