Exploring is an education and experience based program designed to help young people develop into mature, caring and responsible adults. The Exploring program focuses on character development and career education. Learning for Life programs help youth develop social and life skills, assist in character and career development, and help youth formulate positive personal values. It prepares youth to
make ethical decisions that will help them achieve their full potential. It builds an avenue for public/private partnerships that provides a means to support our mission to protect and serve. As individuals, the youth involved give back to their community by completing hundreds of hours of community service each year. They become role models for their peers and friends and serve as catalysts for positive police relations in our communities. Explorers provide assistance to the Magnolia Police Department and the City of Magnolia by volunteering their time at various community events or activities. Some of these activities include crime fairs, National Night Out, Magnolia Police Department Police Memorial, child safety programs, traffic direction, and parades. Through weekly post meetings that Explorers attend they learn about various law enforcement techniques and practices such as arrest, search and seizure, fire arms safety, crime scene investigations, fingerprinting, handcuffing, building searches, traffic enforcement, and many more aspects of the law enforcement profession. Ride Out Program (Job Shadowing)
After the required probation period the Ride-Out program allows Explorers to ride along with a police officer and observe them as they work in the field. This is a way that Explorers can experience law enforcement first hand and gain a better understanding of the criminal justice system
Explorer Competitions
Explorers train to compete against other Explorer teams throughout the area, state and even the nation. The Texas Law Enforcement Explorers Advisors Association (TLEEAA) holds an annual event that allows these teams to test their learned skills against one another, with the top participants and teams receiving awards for their performance. Explorer will also participated in numerous competitions throughout the state to include, Corpus Christi, Lake Jackson, Ellis County, Harris County and Plano X competitions. These provide excellent training opportunities for our youth. Qualifications to Join
Both male and female young adults are encouraged to join. To be considered, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Age - Minimum age is 14 years old, and has completed the 8th grade can be considered. The maximum age is 21 years old. School - Be enrolled in school and maintain at least a "C" (70) or higher GPA. They must have a high school diploma or GED if not in school. Academy -
Each candidate must complete an annual physical fitness and job function test. They must also attend and complete the required annual training academy which is held each year. Personal History
An Explorer cannot have a criminal record, to include arrests or convictions. Traffic violations do not disqualify an applicant unless it is obvious that he/she is a habitual offender. Each applicant is expected to avoid the use of illegal narcotics, alcohol or to***co products and be sound in their health and fitness. Anyone terminated from employment based on any type of theft or deception is also a disqualifier. Anyone who has a theft offense designated as a Class B misdemeanor or higher will be a disqualifier. Each candidate must pass a background investigation and maintain a neat/clean appearance. A candidate under eighteen (18) years of age must have parental consent to enroll in the program. Our Explorers are required to adhere to our Standards of Operational Procedures in order to maintain their association in the program. After being accepted into the program, you may be required to purchase the uniforms as outlined in the Explorers’ Standard Operating Procedures.
