Explorers

The Sterling Police Department Explorers Post 613 was chartered in 1994. The Law Enforcement Explorers program is a branch of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women ages 14 to 20. Explorers learn the fundamentals of law enforcement through interaction with department personnel.

Sterling Police Explorers is a career-oriented program that gives young adults the opportunity to explore a career in law enforcement by working with their local law enforcement agency. Some of the things the Explorers participate in are:

• Defensive tactics
• Helping with parades
• Ride-alongs
• Tours of jails/prisons
• Tactical training with "sims" guns
• Anything else law enforcement related they may be interested in

The program is generally available to qualified (no criminal background) young adults who have graduated 8th grade and are ages 14 to 21 (preferably 20 and done prior to turning 21).

Informing the Community

Letters are sent to and meetings are organized at surrounding schools such as Sterling High School, Newman, Rock Falls High School and Whiteside Area Career Center informing kids of the program. A "first nighter" (the first meeting) offers multiple speakers from different aspects of law enforcement. This gets the program started for the year. If numbers are low, the Sterling Police Department has visited the area schools over lunch time to advertise the program.