Police Explorers

Program Highlights

The South St. Paul Police Department is excited to announce we are NOW accepting applications for the Police Explorer program. The program promotes character building, and the development of leadership skills, and provides access to available scholarships.

The skills also benefit other aspects of life as well. Such as career readiness, professionalism, networking, and communication. 

Our post competes yearly at a state-wide competition in Rochester, Minnesota, and continues to earn awards each year.

The talent continues to be more competitive and we anticipate another fun and rewarding year. The South St. Paul Police Department invites you to be a part of the fun while learning police skills, making friends, and developing character!

We are looking for quality candidates who are interested in the program. The Police Explorer program is available to those individuals between the ages of 14 and 20 and in 9th grade or above.

Program Overview

The South St. Paul Police Explorers program was established to offer young men and women an insight into the field of law enforcement. At the same time, the post members provide helpful services to the South St. Paul Police Department and to the community.

Post members learn valuable skills not only in police work but also in maturity and teamwork. These skills transfer well to everyday life.

Requirements

Candidates should be of good character and trustworthy (as determined by explorer advisors), and have a willingness to participate in social and civil functions. Candidates cannot have been involved in any previous serious delinquent social or criminal behavior, as determined by explorer advisors who will conduct a basic background check.

Background Requirements

  1. School Report Card (2.5 G.P.A. or higher required)
  2. School Attendance (check for significant amounts of absences and tardiness)
  3. Criminal Background / Driving Record
  4. Disclosure of Police Contacts
  5. Employer Check (if applicable)
  6. Three Reference Checks

General Requirements

  • Be able to regularly attend post meetings and other training with reasonable notice of absence unless an emergency exists
  • Be able to interact well with others in working as a team and with the general public
  • Have an interest in a career in Law Enforcement or a related field

Please submit your application (PDF) and Disclosure of Police Contacts to the South St. Police Department as soon as possible.

Program Topics

  • Arrest and Search
  • Burglary Response
  • Crime Prevention
  • Crime Scene Search
  • Domestic Crisis
  • DWI Investigation
  • Emergency Field First Aid
  • Employment Interview
  • Hostage Negotiation
  • Street Decisions
  • Traffic Stops
  • Traffic Accident Investigation
  • Suspicious Activity 
  • Witness Interview

Focus of a Police Explorer Program

The Explorer program is very similar to the Police Reserve program and the Citizen's Academy. However, its intent is to focus on teens and young adults ages 14 to 20 years old. The program's focus is to help build:

  • Career opportunities
  • Character
  • Citizenship
  • Education
  • Leadership experience
  • Life skills

The program offers benefits to the Police Department as well as the students.

 Investing in Career Opportunities

For the Police Department, the program offers an opportunity to invest in a career oriented individual who may potentially work for the agency. The Police Department can monitor and shape the development of the student through the program. It also offers an opportunity for the students to serve in the community. The students could be utilized to better serve the community in traffic control, community events, and other tasks.

For the student, the program offers the opportunity for an eager, career oriented individual to learn through a combination of lecture and hands on training. The student will learn how to handle many of the daily skills and tasks that are performed by the Police Department.

The skills that are learned through the program are evaluated on a regular basis by the officers teaching the program and are ultimately evaluated annually in a state competition held in Rochester, Minnesota in April. The competition gives the students a chance to earn scholarship money and bragging rights for the police department they represent.

Cost of the Explorer Program

  • Individual student fee - $70 per year
  • Items, such as black polishable boots, black socks, etc., are at the cost of the individual
  • Uniforms are provided by the Police Department.
  • The annual Explorer State Competition is $585 per student.

Schedule

  • Sunday evenings from  4 pm to 9 pm.
  • The first Saturday of the month with other law enforcement posts 8 am to 5 pm
  • Numerous volunteer options throughout the year that assist the police department (all optional).

Get your application (PDF) and Disclosure of Police Contacts in soon! Please turn in applications to the office at the South St. Paul Police Department or directly to Officer Emma Keding.