El Dorado County Sheriff's Office 2018 Annual Report | Page 50

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office Explorer Post 457 is a law enforcement career exploring program. This program offers career orientation and experience for young adults contemplating a career in the field of criminal justice. Additionally, it provides young adults, ages 14 to 20 years old, a personal awareness of the criminal justice system through disciplined training and expectations, practical experiences, volunteering, community service and other activities.

Law Enforcement Exploring is a highly respected program that has served as a platform from which countless young adults have launched successful careers with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

Explorers receive law enforcement training and education while gaining valuable experience in leadership roles. Exploring is a primarily youth led program with sworn officers serving as advisers and facilitators for the program. Post 457 completes at least three hours of classroom and scenario based training each week.

Training topics include basic patrol and radio

procedures, criminal law, crime scene

searches, crime prevention, traffic stops,

human relations and apprehension. In

addition, the Explorers gain hands-on training

by participating in ride alongs with deputies,

receiving firearms training and competing in

regional and national scenario competitions.

This program builds trust and cooperation

between youth and the Sheriff’s Office.

Explorers build confidence and have the

opportunity to challenge themselves in ways

they never thought possible.

New to the post this year is the implementation of the Explorers Search and Rescue Unit. This unit works in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) unit to allow selected Explorers to participate in “real world” SAR missions. Currently, there are ten Explorers who have completed the Search and Rescue Beginners Academy and are now certified Level IV searchers.

The Sheriff’s Office OHV Unit provided

Explorers with classroom and hands on

training in technical off-road driving

maneuvers, in-field emergency vehicle

maintenance, and how to properly tow

vehicles. Explorers participated in the Jeeper’s

Jamboree vendor show and assisted in traffic

control.

Showcasing the Post’s highest level of

discipline and uniform appearance is the Color

Guard. The Color guard took part in many

events in the community to include leading

parades, assisting with opening events and the

posting of colors at funerals.

Over the past few years, the Friends of the NRA

has provided the Post over $30,000 in the

form of grants. From these grants, Explorers

are able to expand the range safety program,

as well as, the firearm program. Training has

been provided about firearm safety, handling

and accuracy, not only to the Explorers, but also

to the ROP law class at Ponderosa High School

and to the interns at the District Attorney’s

Office.

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Special Programs & Services

Explorer Post 457