Local Youth Attend Explorer Academy

Six Palm Beach Gardens Police Explorers recently returned from a week long residential career program known as the “Law Enforcement Explorer Academy”.

The programs gave them practical, hands-on law enforcement and life-skills training presented in a structured and highly disciplined environment. Drill Instructor from the West Palm Beach Police Department lead the squads, were in charge of the physical fitness, discipline and drill instruction. Staff from the Gulf Stream Council of the Boy Scouts of America provided additional instruction and supervised the facilities and grounds.

Included in the program were regular physical training drills each day followed by demonstrations and classroom instruction on police related topics. Participants explored the many duties of the law enforcement profession and the various specialty units. They were able to collect evidence from mock crime scenes, interact with K-9 units, and conduct mock traffic stops.

The entire Explorer Academy was structured in a highly disciplined environment much the same as is found in police and military training academies.

Upon successful completion of the Academy, the Explorers were recognized at a graduation ceremony and presented with certificates and ribbons to wear on their Class-A uniforms.

Reports back from the Explorers who attended indicated that they felt it was both educational, challenging… and a fun experience.