Police Explorers

Overview

Police Explorers is a police career education program that provides young adults with the opportunity to learn about the field of law enforcement. The program helps prepare participants to become responsible, engaged, and caring members of their communities. Throughout their involvement, Explorers learn directly from police officers, build positive relationships with law enforcement professionals, and gain valuable insight into the responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities within the policing profession.

Program Requirements

• Between 14 (completed 8th grade) and 20 years old
• Live within 60 minutes of the Grand Rapids city limits
• Enrolled in high school or college
• Maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA
• Interested in a law enforcement-related career

Sample Weekly Content/Topics

Introduction to Accident Investigations

Explorers learn through scenario-based training how the police respond to vehicular accidents, complete accident reports, and determine if citations are warranted.

Conducting a Traffic Stop

Explorers learn through scenario-based training how police conduct a traffic stop, reasons for a stop, and when citations are warranted.

Introduction to Domestic Violence Response

Explorers learn through scenario-based training how police respond to a domestic/intimate partner violence situation, determine if there is a domestic/intimate partner relationship, and determine if an arrest is warranted.

Introduction to Defensive Tactics

Explorers learn how police use deescalation skills to their advantage and when the use of force is warranted. Explorers get to learn how to perform commonly used defensive tactics and EFC take-downs. Physical training is done frequently and advisors provide nutrition.

Introduction to Forensics

Explorers learn what types of tests the forensics unit is able to conduct in the field and in the lab, the importance of evidence collection, and how proper handling of evidence can be crucial in various investigations.

Additional Opportunities

Michigan Law Enforcement Youth Advisory Committee (MLEYAC)

• State Academy: Explorers have the opportunity to attend this academy, spending a week at Fort Custer learning from multiple police department advisors from across the state.
• State Competition: Explorers have the opportunity to compete in this annual event. Participants go to Fort Custer for a weekend to compete with other Explorer posts across the state in five topics/scenarios (domestic violence investigations, firearms familiarization, traffic crash investigations, felony traffic stops, and building searches.)

Volunteering

Explorers have the opportunity to volunteer for various community and department events, including OnBase with GRPD, the annual law enforcement memorial service, training scenarios, and more.

Step 1

Follow the instructions to submit an interest/application form

Step 2

We'll invite you to attend two meetings (if space and schedule allow)

Step 3

Complete a background packet and return it to GRPD within 14 days

Step 4

We invite you to an interview

Step 5

We'll notify you once a decision has been made regarding your acceptance into the program. Please note that this is a competitive process, and not all applicants will be selected.

Thank you to the Grand Rapids Police Foundation for providing resources and funds to support our program!