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Area police agencies launch
Police Explorer Program for youth |
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July 8, 2014 |
In a joint effort to provide a positive outlet
for area youth, the Bonners Ferry Police
Department, along with the Boundary County
Sheriff’s Office, the United States Border
Patrol, and the United States Forest Service
Police, in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of
America, have created a multi-agency law
enforcement Explorer Post in Boundary County.
Officers, Deputies, and Agents will work
together to forge a cohesive program for boys
and girls ages 14-20 who are interested in
exploring a career in law enforcement.
Explorers will learn skills such as parade
drills, police report writing, crowd control,
and firearms safety. Explorers will wear
uniforms, but they will not look like uniformed
police officers so as not to put the kids in
danger from criminals who mistake them for
on-duty law enforcement.
Each law enforcement agency represented will
provide at least one officer, deputy or agent as
“Advisors” who will train, drill and oversee
members of the post. There will be monthly
meetings and training designed to teach
discipline to the kids and prepare them for the
stress involved in a law enforcement career.
Being a member of the law enforcement Explorer
Program is an honor and a privilege, so good
citizenship is required, and members of the post
will be required to maintain at least a “C”
average in school in order to participate in the
program.
Officer Buddy Winters will be the advisor
representing the Bonners Ferry Police
Department. Deputy Caleb Watts will represent
the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office. Agent Marc
Gray will be the representative from the US
Forest Service, and Patrol Agent In Charge
Manuel Figueroa represents the US Border Patrol
on this team. "Together, we hope to make a
difference in the lives of kids who face a
crossroads in life," said Bonners Ferry Chief of
Police Robert Boone. "It is our hope they choose
a path of service, honor and integrity."
Applications will be available at the front
counter of the Bonners Ferry Police Department,
the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office, and the US
Border Patrol Station in Bonners Ferry. There
will be a limited number of kids accepted into
the program initially until a core group of
members is established. If you know a youth who
is interested in Police Explorers, please obtain
and submit an application before Friday, August
1, 2014.
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