Explorer Post 102

An Exciting Path to the Future

Affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America's Learning for Life, Law Enforcement Exploring allows young men and women between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one the opportunity to learn first hand, the many aspects of law enforcement. Commonly known as "Police Explorers", several area police department sponsor law enforcement posts. These posts are staffed by career law enforcement officers and other department personnel. The Middletown Township Police Department sponsors such a post.

Founded in in 1956 as a rifle and drill team, the post evolved into a law enforcement specialty post headed by their first Advisor, now retired Captain William W. Woodward. The concept of the post was to allow young men and women, the opportunity to "explore" law enforcement as a career. The post generally attracts junior high and high school students who are starting to plan their future career in a police related field.

Police Exploring offers young people a chance not afforded the private citizen. Explorers received police training quite similar to their sworn officer counterparts, and participate in a "ride-a-long" program - which permits properly trained Explorers to ride on patrol with selected police officers. These privileges however, must be earned.

A police explorer candidate must have a passing average in school (C or better), pass a probationary period before becoming a full fledged member and participate in mandatory training, learning the fundamentals of law enforcement. The initial training phase consists of familiarity with the use of the police radio, traffic and crown control and drill and ceremony. Once an explorer is eligible, he or she is voted in as a regular explorer.

The successful police explorer will be issued a distinctive uniform, complete with badge, name place and other accessories. Now the fun begins.

Post 102 offers their services to Middletown Township and many other Monmouth County communities. Some of their activities have included traffic and crowd control at the popular "Fireworks on the Navesink" in the adjacent Boro of Red Bank, Middletown Day, along with church and fireman's fairs. Middletown Police Explorers also participate in numerous parades, including Belmar's St. Patrick's Day celebration, Police Week activities and other community events.

Training is also replete with adventure. Explorers attend the State Explorer Academy which is a scaled down, yet intensive training session not unlike a Police Academy attended by sworn police officer.

Both the academy and in-service training provide the explorers with instruction on criminal law, motor vehicle law in New Jersey, self-defense, traffic and crown control, accident investigation, crime scene investigation, fingerprinting, search and seizure, hostage negotiation and courtroom testimony. This type of training is an important aspect of Exploring since it gives a young person a clear overview of what to expect should they decide to further their education and become a permanent part of the law enforcement community. Every two years, Post 102 attends the National Explorer Conference. These conferences are held in different locations throughout the United States. Thousands of explorers from hundreds of posts throughout the nation compete on a national level as teams in a particular scenario. These teams are judged by members of the FBI, DEA, ATF and other renowned police organizations.

These conferences also offer the the opportunity to make new friends, enjoy area sights and attractions and most importantly, learn the value of teamwork. Over the years, Post 102 has won many awards in different scenarios ranging from Traffic Accident Investigation to Hostage Negotiation. Those trophies and awards stand as a testament and honor to the dedication of past and present members of this well respected Explorer Post.

Like anything, all work and no play makes for dull times. Middletown Explorers also have fun in their off hours. Camping and hiking trips, excursions to Six Flags Great Adventure and other events are met with the same enthusiasm as work details.

Exploring is a fun and productive way for the young people of our community to spend some of their spare time. Invaluable lessons are learned in the training seminars and through contact with the public. Many former explorers from Middletown's Post 102 have pursued their interest in law enforcement - as police officers in Middletown and other communities, as state troopers and also as FBI Agents.

Whatever a member of Post 102 decides to do with his or her future, you can bet the experiences they shared in our organization will be a part of them forever.

If you or someone you know would be interested in Law Enforcement Exploring,call Corporal Keith McDonald, Post Advisor at 732-615-2136.