This is an organization through the Chatham County Sheriff Department(CCSD), for local youth with an interest in the career field of law enforcement.
Law Enforcement Exploring is a specialty branch of explorers that is endorsed by the; International Association of Chiefs of Police and The National Sheriff’s Association and is helped and supported by many other National Law Enforcement organizations and industries.
The organization will allow local youth to develop certain skills and knowledge along with developing a civic mindfulness that will assist them throughout their lives. Some of the benefits to the involved youth would be as follows:
I. Educational:
a. CCSDE would learn new and different skills and abilities.
b. CCSDE would be able to reinforce already existing skills and knowledge in real life circumstances.
c. Responsibility
d. Accountability
e. Additional motivation and reasons to maintain good grades.
II. Career Exploration:
a. CCSDE would be exposed to knowledge and skills of the local law enforcement professions.
b. The program will give CCSDE a chance to decide if law enforcement is a career that they would be interested in.
c. Allow them to develop potential contacts for future employment options.
III. Civic:
a. Develop leadership skills
b. Learn organizational skills
c. Personal ethics in choice and action
d. Develop an understanding of the role of City, County, State and Federal Governments.
e. Develop an understanding of the role of local law enforcement.
f. Civic responsibility
g. Pride in our community and its functions
h. Pride in the Law Enforcement Profession and its members
IV. Social:
a. Personal interactions with persons of similar interests
b. Peer interaction and decision making
c. Peer responsibility and accountability
d. Increased self confidence
e. Build Mental Fitness
f. Develop the skills and desires to assist others
g. Gain respect for the rights of others
The Goals of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Department Explorers are multi fold. They include but are not limited by the following:
A. Gain practical knowledge in the field of Law Enforcement.
B. Engage in a program of activities that would be centered upon career opportunities, life skills, law enforcement service skills, character education, civics, ethics, and leadership education to encourage the development of the whole youth.
C. Experience positive and constructive leadership from both adult and youth leaders.
D. To be allowed opportunities to compete for and fill leadership roles.
E. To be given a chance to mature and learn in a supportive and educational environment.
Methods to Achieve our stated goals
A. Voluntary association between youth and adults: Since exploring is voluntary, youth are more receptive to new ideas, experiences, and skills, and are more willing to participate.
B. Ethical Decision Making: Exploring asks youth to be responsible for themselves, their program of activities, and the experiences they receive, along with other people within the organization. This provides youth with numerous opportunities to make effective and ethical decisions influenced by capable adults and structured activities.
C. Group Activities: Explorer activities are independent group exercises. Success depends on the cooperation and participation of all.
D. Recognition of achievement: Recognition through formal awards, rank within the CCSDE, and especially through the acknowledgment by peers and adults of a young person’s competence and abilities.
E. Democratic Process: Exploring provides exposure to democratic ideals, skills, civics, and ethics that are needed for life.
F. Curiosity, Exploration, and Adventure: Curiosity is encouraged and a sense of exploration and adventure are developed through new experiences that provide opportunities for youth to acquire new skills and participate in action-oriented activities.
While, for the most part, Exploring is for the benefit of the youth involved, experience by other involved police agencies has shown benefits to themselves. Some of these benefits include:
I. Increased public awareness of the role of Law Enforcement in the community.
II. Outlets other than criminal activity for certain youth (i.e., gangs)
III. A potential source for future officers
IV. An increase in the number of area youth considering a L. E. career.
V. A potential source of traffic control and crowd control personnel for events,
parades, etc.
VI. Increased rapport with local youth and law enforcement.
VII. Increased Civic awareness on the part of involved youth.
VIII. Improved Law Enforcement image within the community.
Qualifications for a Law Enforcement Explorer
1. Youth between 14 and 21 who:
a. Keep a minimum of a C average in school
b. Not currently pending any juvenile charges
c Not on juvenile probation
d..Have no felony record or record of crimes involving moral turpitude.
2. Parental consent if less than 18 years of age to include:
a. Waiver of Liability
b. Authorization to allow the Explorer to participate in police style training
c. Willingness to assure the Explorer makes training sessions
Requirements Expected of a Sheriff’s Explorer:
1. Attendance:
a. To regular scheduled meetings
b. To regular scheduled training
c. To planned functions and events
d. To planed outings
2. Participation:
a. In all regular meetings
b. In all regular training
c. In as many trips and outings as possible
d. In fund raising events
3. Dues of $16.00 are divided as follows:
a. $11.00 that is paid to the Boy Scouts of America
b. $5.00 that is paid to the CCSDE fund
Yearly Dues would be used to pay for awards, qualifications, qualifications certificates and the Organizations annual $20.00 Charter fee to the BSA.
The CCSDE would have a standardized training uniform that would consist of the following:
1. Black BDU type pants
2. A beige Polo shirt with the CCSD Logo and sewn on badge
3. High Tech type boots
4. And possibly a Nylon Duty Belt
All interested applicants must contact the Post Advisor to set up an interview.
The interview will include the applicant and parent or legal guardian. The contact number is as follows.
Ron Robinson, Deputy
(912) 652-7682