In an effort to become more community oriented, the Statesville Police Department recently launched a program aimed at young people, hoping to provide opportunities and leadership training for those interested in law enforcement or other careers.
The SPD launched its Explorer Post, which is run through the Boy Scouts of America, earlier this week. The SPD had a similar program many years ago, but interest waned, and it was discontinued.
Now, the SPD is trying to revive the program, and as of the first meeting Monday night, six young men are a part of the revival.
Officer Chan Austin, who is heading the program for the SPD, said he believes more young people will come on board in the coming weeks.
The SPD Explorer Post, aimed at young men and women ages 14 to 20, is primarily focused on students from Statesville and South Iredell high schools, as well as those students that are in home or private schools, Austin said. Students from the other high schools are served by Explorer Posts through the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office and the Mooresville Police Department.
SPD Chief Tom Anderson said revamping the Explorer Post is part of the department’s philosophy of becoming more involved in the community. “We are re-establishing those community ties,” Anderson said. “We recognize that part is just as big as the policing part.”
Anderson said this program will build positive relationships between police and young people and will also give those young people an experience that will build leadership skills for the future.
Austin said the program has an application process and there is a cost of $15 to participate. That $15 includes insurance for the program. The SPD and Boy Scouts will provide uniforms for the Explorers.
Austin said he plans for this group to be an active one.
“They will be helping out at community service events. We’ll do the bulk of the events during the summer when they are out of school, but there will be events during the school year,” he said.
He said the Explorers will learn about the inner workings of the police department and about police procedures. “We’ll teach them about law enforcement in the hopes that maybe some day, they will work here,” he said.
Anderson said one of the best things about becoming involved in the SPD’s Explorer Post is that it is being built from the ground up. “They can be part of developing what it is for future kids,” he said.
Anderson stressed that the Explorer Post is not just a club. “They are part of an organization,” he said. “They will get to see from an inside prospective and see what goes on.”
Anderson said he believes this program will be more than just an opportunity for those interested in careers in law enforcement.
“It can be career preparation. We’ll work on things such as how to prepare for an interview,” he said.
The Explorers Post will meet twice a month – on the first and third Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in the SPD’s training room.
The next meeting is set for Feb. 6. For more information, contact Austin at (704) 878-3442.
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