In May of 1959 the Orange County Sheriff’s Department formed the first law enforcement explorer post in the nation, for career-oriented young adults, age 14 through 20. Members are referred to as “Explorers.” It is a co-educational, young adult program supervised by Lake Forest police services and provides an opportunity for young adults to explore the law enforcement field.
Explorer Post 449 is sponsored by Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and the Orange County Sheriff’s department as a community-based policing program. This successful program is designed to educate and involve young men and women in police operations. Explorers learn leadership skills and personal responsibilities.
Explorers can broaden their understanding and firsthand knowledge of the challenges and job skills that make up their community’s police services. In addition to gaining a working knowledge of police work the participants have the opportunity to provide a service to their community. Although Post 449 is law enforcement oriented, Explorers are volunteers and do not serve as police employees, sworn or civilian. Explorers receive training in leadership, patrol procedures, first-aid, laws of arrest, ride-alongs with patrol officers, and annual Explorer academy regional and national competitions. Explorers gain a sense of pride in our community and county and are taught individual responsibilities.
Typical duties include: community service, directing traffic, crowd control at parades, administrative duties at department facilities, neighborhood clean up and crime prevention fairs.
Minimum Qualifications
Must be between the ages of 14½ to 20 (applications may be made at age 14, if the applicant had completed the eighth grade). Have a minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA), and in good standing with school administrators. Have no criminal convictions.
For further information contact:
Orange County Sheriff’s Department Explorer Post #449
“First In The Nation”
(949) 461-3545 http://www.ocsd.org
