Teaching tomorrow’s leaders…

The men and women of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office work with youth in the community as part of the Police Explorer program, Post #948.
This program is part of the statewide curriculum from the Florida Sheriffs Explorer Association and helps educate and involve youth in police operations and further develops their interest in the law enforcement profession.

These 14 to 21 year old young adults train on a regular basis and go on to compete in regional and statewide competitions to test their skills against other Police Explorers.

They are taught the proper techniques for: Building Searches; Crime Scene Investigations; Crisis Intervention; Domestic Violence; Dispatch / Radio Procedures; Pistol Usage and Safety; Traffic Stops (unknown risks); Traffic Crash Investigations. They also have to complete a Physical Agility Test.
 

Requirements to join:

• Teenagers between 14 to 18 years of age are eligible to apply. Young adults already in the program are eligible to stay until their 21^st birthday.
• Parental approval and a signed general liability release form;
• Explorers are expected to maintain a minimum scholastic standard of 2.0 GPA;
• Must attend a new candidate Explorer Academy (held in the Spring each year)

Registering your child is easy!

Simply download and fill out the form. Once the forms are complete, with the appropriate signatures, please return to:

For more information please contact the Community Engagement Office at 904.630.2160.

Police Explorer Academy Course Requirements:

1. General Information
   • During this 64-hour class young adults are taught about a variety of law enforcement related topics. The class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, for eight weeks, at Police Headquarters, 501 E. Bay Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202.
   • Explorers are required to meet several different criteria to successfully complete the program and graduate.
2. Appearance
   • Explorers are required to dress appropriately for class. They must be neat and clean at all times. They will be representing the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the City of Jacksonville and should take pride in their appearance.
3. Protocol
   • The Explorers elect a class leader during the third week of class. That leader maintains the position for the remainder of the class unless removed by the instructor. There is absolutely no smoking or use of tobacco products permitted inside police headquarters or in any Sheriff’s Office vehicle.
4. Attendance
   • A Police Explorer elect may miss up to eight hours of the 64-hour class, provided the absence is due to illness or an emergency. When returning to class, the Explorer must present a note from his or her parent/guardian. If the Explorer misses more than eight hours, he or she will not be allowed to continue the class.
5. Academics
   • The student will be required to keep a notebook reflecting all of the information presented during the instruction period. The notebook will be collected twice during the eight weeks and will be graded on a pass / fail basis. The grade will be based on organization and content.

If you have any questions or want further information about the Police Explorer Program please contact the Community Engagement Office at 904.630.2160.


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