The Tacoma Police Department sponsors Police Explorer Post 711 which is overseen by Learning for Life, an affiliate of the Boy Scouts of America. The Tacoma Police Department supports the program with equipment, training, and mentoring in the law enforcement career field. The program is open to all youth and young adults who are at least 15 years of age (or 14 years of age and a high school freshman) and no older than 19 years of age at the time of application.
The Tacoma Police Explorers meet every Tuesday evening from 6 PM until 9 PM at the Tacoma Police Headquarters located at 3701 South Pine Street. The meetings are mandatory and are a requirement to maintain standing in the Explorer Post. The first Tuesday of the month is an administrative meeting that covers the upcoming Post events, past events, and monthly assignments for the Explorers. The other Tuesday meetings are training meetings that include both lecture and practical experience.
As an Explorer, you will learn about the many different aspects of law enforcement which are intended to enhance your ability to enter into the law enforcement career field. Some skills that are taught include officer safety techniques, de-escalation resources and response, handling high-risk and routine calls, report writing and more.
Tacoma Police Explorers are trained and equipped with the basic skills required to work as volunteer representatives of the Tacoma Police Department.
To become an Explorer, you must:
- Be mature and professional
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0
- Pass the physical agility test (25 push-ups, 35 sit-ups, and run one mile in under ten minutes)
- Have good attendance at school and meetings
- Volunteer as an Explorer at events (an average of 12 additional hours per month)
Most events are usually held on weekends. In addition, Explorers must attend the Explorer Academy within one year of being accepted into the Explorer Post and at least one academy per year thereafter. The Academies are one week in duration and are held in August and over winter break between December 26 and December 31.
The Police Explorers requires a serious commitment for young adults who are interested in a career in Law Enforcement and volunteering in their community. All Explorers are registered as City of Tacoma volunteer workers and are also Pierce County Department of Emergency Management volunteers.
For more information on this challenging and rewarding program, call Sergeant Custis at (253) 302-1184 and leave your name, a return phone number and the best time to reach you. You may also reach Sgt. Custis by emailing the Explorers. We look forward to hearing from you.