New Explorer Application Packet
Career Opportunities in Law Enforcement
Topeka Police Department Law Enforcement Explorer Post #7721
What is Post 7721?
It is a Law Enforcement Explorer program associated with the Boy Scouts of America Learning for Life Explorer Program and sponsored by the Topeka Police Department. Post 7721 has been in existence since 1968 and offers young men and women an opportunity to ‘explore’ a side of police work that television doesn’t.
If you meet our qualifications and are interested in learning more about what a law enforcement career may have to offer, then being a Law Enforcement Explorer may be for you. The following is a list of questions and answers that you or your parents may have about the history and function of Post 7721.
How do I become a Law Enforcement Explorer?
If you are between the ages of 14 and 20, have completed the 8th grade, and have never been convicted of a felony crime, then the first step in becoming an Explorer is to contact Officer Brandon Gogian at tpdexplorers@topeka.org.
How much will it cost?
Our Post operates under a 501(c) (3) and conducts frequent fundraisers in an attempt to keep this program at little to no cost to the Explorer. Uniform and equipment items are usually provided by the Topeka Police Department. The yearly charter fees for the Boy Scouts of America are paid out of the program’s accounts. We travel to competitions and the program covers registration fees and most travel expenses. Some expenses such as boots and food on trips may be up to the Explorer. We do offer potential scholarship opportunities for those that do not have the financial means to cover some of the potential minor expenses. Please do not let financial concerns keep you from joining this program.
What exactly do Law Enforcement Explorers Do?
The activities of an Explorer are endless. Besides regularly scheduled meetings, Post 7721 provides security and traffic control for such events as the Fiesta Mexicana, Spirit of Kansas, Public Events, Dignitary Visits, and many more. Explorers 16 and older who have completed a thorough training program may qualify to participate in the ride-along program.
Explorers are actively involved in the community, putting in thousands of volunteer hours each year as a Post. Explorers have also been called upon by the Police Department to assist in searches for evidence, missing persons, victims of crimes, and for helping in the 1983 and 1988 tornadoes. Each year the Explorers get the opportunity to showcase their skills learned during their weekly training meetings by attending at least one Explorer competition where they compete against other Explorer Posts in law enforcement events.
Is being an Explorer dangerous?
Anytime a person puts on a uniform that associates them with a law enforcement organization, they are putting themselves at some risk. The Explorer will have an Officer or an Advisor overseeing them at any event that they participate in. An Explorer participating on a ride along is required to wear a protective vest and all projects are monitored by police dispatch. High priority is given to minimizing the Explorer’s risk.
What type of training does an Explorer receive?
During the ten week Explorer Basic Training Course (held on Monday nights from 6:30 to 9:00) the Explorer receive training in arrest and search, legal aspects of law enforcement, building searches, traffic stops, field interviews, and domestic violence investigations, just to name a few. After completing the Basic Training Course Explorers receive weekly training in almost every area of law enforcement including traffic control, crisis intervention, mental health assistance, emergency management, search and arrest, domestic crisis intervention, bomb search, crime prevention, traffic accident investigation, first aid, CPR, and officer safety to prepare them for the ride-along program and Explorer competitions.
As you can see, there is a lot involved in being an Explorer, but there is one thing we have not mentioned: FUN! Every other year Post 7721 will attend the National Law Enforcement Explorer Conference, which has been held in locations such as Atlanta, GA and Flagstaff, AZ. There are also a number of activities that have nothing to do with police work at all, just a chance to get together and have a good time. In addition, there are training camps sponsored by different agencies in Kansas.
This program is a great opportunity for the youth in our community to be involved in a positive outlet. The Explorer has the opportunity to become well educated in the law and their rights as a citizen. While the focus is primarily law enforcement related, they get specialized instruction on fundraising, organizing large events, community service, interviewing techniques, and resume building. These are all topics that can help them as they move forward in their young adult lives.
If you are interested in a career in Law Enforcement or just looking for an exciting and challenging opportunity to expand your horizons, then being an Explorer is for you! For more information, call Officer Brandon Gogian at (785) 368-9453 or email tpdexplorers@topeka.org.