Explorer Program

Who We Are
The Explorer program is an educational program for high school students age 14 and up with an avid interest in law enforcement. Explorers meet twice a month for training sessions in law enforcement activities and are not paid. Participants in this program also have grade-point average requirements. Explorers use the skills learned in training to compete against other metro area Explorer groups in law-enforcement competitions. This group also assists with security at large events.

What We Do
Explorer Post #99 trains in various aspects of law enforcement. Department employees teach explorer training, and the training offered is similar to Law Enforcement Academy training.  Subjects include:

• Traffic control
• Traffic stops
• Arrest control
• Criminal code
• Patrol procedures
• High-risk entry
• Hostage negotiation
• Report writing
• Domestic crisis
• Crime scene investigation
• Firearm safety

Explorers are required to volunteer 10 hours per month to the Sheriff's Office. Explorers are allowed to volunteer their time in different areas including Investigations, Booking and Work Release.  Explorers are also involved in various community functions such as bicycle rodeos, open houses and the Summerset Festival.

Explorers have the option to attend the Law Enforcement Advisor's Association of Colorado Academy, which is offered in the spring and the fall. The academy offers basic academic and physical training in the law enforcement field. Upon completion of the academy, an Explorer is eligible to compete in the regional conference held every year in June.

The regional conference encompasses posts from Colorado, Texas, Arizona, North Dakota, California, Washington and Kansas. The conference is one week long, and competitions include firearms, domestic crisis, report writing, crime scene investigations, building search and traffic stops. The competition puts the Explorers' training to use in realistic scenarios, and awards are given in each competition.

Explorers may also attend a national Explorer conference where they can compete against Explorer teams from throughout the country.  In 2006 and 2007, Explorer Post 99 took the prestigious Spirit Trophy at the national conference in Chandler, Arizona.

Uniform
Explorers wear a modified uniform consisting of a blue uniform shirt and black pants.  Explorers neither possess nor wear a badge.  Explorers are not law enforcement officers and are not POST-certified.

Requirements for Membership 
Explorer candidates must:
- be at least 14 but not yet 21 years of age
- currently enrolled in high school or college
- maintain minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher
- pass a background investigation
- have written permission from a parent/guardian if the applicant is under 18 years of age
- be of good moral character

Application Process
The application process will consist of the following steps:

Explorer application. Initial Explorer applications are screened for suitability based on a variety of factors. Approval of the application moves prospective Explorers on to the oral board.

Interview. The oral board consists of Explorer advisors and current Explorers and is designed to give the applicant an opportunity to express himself/herself verbally. Applicants will answer a variety of questions, and discuss various scenarios relating to the Explorer Post. The board may or may not recommend that the applicant move on to the background investigation.

Background investigation. This is intended to further illuminate and illustrate the applicant’s behavior, history and personality.

Staff review. All applicants will be subject to approval by the Explorer Post advisors.

Download the Explorer application

Send completed applications to:
Training and Recruiting 
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
200 Jefferson County Parkway
Golden, CO 80401-2697

Contact Us
For more information, call 303-271-5332. 

In College?
Too old to be an Explorer?  Learn about our Cadet program.

Last Modified: Apr 5, 2010 08:10 AM