CHAPTER 1INTRODUCTION/EXPLORING
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION/EXPLORING
1.01 Introduction
1.02 What is Exploring?
1.03 History of Exploring
1.04 Objectives of Law Enforcement Exploring
1.05 Goals and Objectives Attainment
1.06 Explorer Code and Ethics
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION/EXPLORING
Effective date: 11-20-95
Last revisions: 09-01-08
1.01 INTRODUCTION
This Administrative Directive Manual is designed to
provide information to the local Learning For Life
Council, police personnel, parents, and members who are
currently involved in Williamson County Sheriff's
Department Law Enforcement Exploring Post #151.
1.02 WHAT IS EXPLORING?
A. Exploring is a division of Learning For Life
for young men and women, ages fourteen through
twenty-one. Its purpose is to bring a character
building, citizenship training, and fitness program
to the youth of America. Explorer Posts are
organized by businesses, industries, governmental
agencies, churches, schools, civic clubs, and
community organizations which provide adult volunteer
leaders, program resources, and meeting facilities.
Posts specialize in a variety of career and
recreational programs designed to provide service,
social, citizenship, outdoor, career, and fitness
activities.
B. Career surveys conducted in high schools throughout
the country demonstrate a significant level of
student interest in law enforcement and criminal
justice. As with many high-visibility careers, law
enforcement is often viewed as a glamorous profession
sometimes distorted by the communications media.
Young people want hands on experience, practical
knowledge, and usable career information. Exploring
seeks to match interested youth with adults who will
share their knowledge and skills.
1.03 HISTORY OF EXPLORING
Exploring began as a senior program in early Boy Scout
troops. These older boys carried out high-adventure
activities, service projects, and gave leadership to
young scouts.
In 1912, Sea Scouting was founded for older scouts and
flourished as a program based on tradition of the sea.
In 1928, Sea Scout Paul Siple accompanied Commander
Richard E. Byrd to the Atlantic.
In 1935, senior scouts were called "Explorers" for the
first time. Many were organized in separate Explorer
crews in troops using a Senior Scout program.
In 1938, Mr. Waite Phillips, a Tulsa oil man, gave the
Boy Scouts of America 127,000 acres of northeast New
Mexico which became the Philmont Scout Ranch and Explorer
Base.
In 1942, an Air Scout program for young men fifteen years
and older was created in cooperation with the U.S. Army
Corps. The cooperative program with the U.S. Air Force
has continued to this day although Air Scouting was
discontinued in 1965.
In May 1949, the National Executive Board revised Senior
Scouting to recognize Explorers as all young men in
posts, Sea Scout ships, Air Scout squadrons, and all Boy
Scouts in troops who were over the age of fourteen.
In 1954, the National BSA Executive Board and the
University of Michigan made a national study which
revealed the needs, desires and concerns of fourteen to
sixteen-year-old boys. As a result a completely new
Exploring program was developed and put into effect
January 1, 1959. This new program included activities,
methods, and recognition that were similar to, but
separate from, the Boy Scout program.
After almost ten years of limited progress, a study was
made of the special interest post being organized by
William H. Spurgeon III, a businessman from California,
and the newly completed research project of the BSA by
Daniel Yankelovich. This study indicated that 83% of the
youth surveyed wanted more information on careers than
they were getting at home or in school, and 94% wanted
adult associations. Coed participation, sports, and
adult life recognition were found necessary to attract
young adults to Exploring. A national committee that
developed the present Exploring program implemented this
study. As a result, special interest Explorer Posts
began to be organized by businesses and professional and
trade organizations. The career interest survey of high
school students was developed to identify and recruit
members.
This opportunity to join Posts that specialize in careers
or recreational programs attracted large numbers of young
adults to Exploring. Exploring locally and nationally
became a separate division of the Boy Scouts of America
designed to serve young men who had dropped out or never
were Boy Scouts.
In April 1971, young women became eligible for full
membership in Exploring and the upper age limit in
Exploring was increased to twenty-one. With these new
methods came a series of national activities designed and
conducted to strengthen the local Post and Ship. The
Safe-driving Road Rally, the Explorer Olympics, and the
National Explorer Congress led to the organization of the
Explorer Presidents Association involving Explorers in
planning their program at every level.
By 1981, the rapid growth of Exploring led to the
development of national specialty programs in aviation,
business, science and engineering, law and government,
law enforcement, health careers, outdoor, sea exploring,
sports, career education, arts, skilled trades, social
service, fire and rescue, and communications.
An Explorer Presidents' Association Congress was designed
to train local and national youth leaders and a National
Exploring Conference was implemented on a biennial basis.
1.04 OBJECTIVES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPLORING
In addition to the basic objectives of Learning For Life
- character building, citizenship training, and
fitness - the Law Enforcement Explorer program seek to:
1. Further the Explorer's education.
2. Encourage Explorer participation in a rewarding
and productive community service.
3. Enhance Explorer preparation for future roles as
citizens and community members.
1.05 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ATTAINMENT
A. To achieve the goals and objectives of Law
Enforcement Exploring, several approaches are
used. The regular monthly meetings where
representatives give of various law enforcement
agencies (federal, state, county, and local) meet
with members of Law Enforcement Explorer posts to
present topics related to law enforcement and the
criminal justice system is one approach.
B. The second approach is the Explorer Ride-Along
program. At the discretion and direction of the
appropriate agency, members of the post can
observe firsthand the field actives of law
enforcement professionals. Clear guidelines
designed to maintain the effectiveness of the
field officer and at the same time provide for
the safety of the Ride-Along participant, should
be established by the respective law enforcement
agency.
C. Although most activities of Law Enforcement
Exploring participants are of an educational
nature, social activities are included.
Participants are exposed to more than field
operations; they learn about people and
themselves as well. By participating in the
programs provided, Law Enforcement Explorers are
given the opportunity to broaden their
understanding and first-hand knowledge of the
challenges and job skills that make up their
community's police service.
D. Besides gaining a working knowledge of policing,
the participants have the opportunity to give of
themselves to their community. Many departments
utilize Law Enforcement Explorer members in such
areas as crime prevention, record keeping, radio,
and telecommunications. These activities are
done under the supervision of department members
and demonstrate that Exploring can be more than a
superficial orientation to law enforcement.
E. The presence of a Law Enforcement Explorer Post
within any agency can be a positive factor in
influencing departmental attitudes. Post members
are afforded an opportunity see first-hand the
efforts of commissioned personnel. They can late
discuss their observations with members of their
peer group. Because the age group of Explorers
comprises the more impressive years of youth, it
is here that the basic tenets of civic
responsibility best can be installed.
Additionally, commissioned personnel normally
exposed to youth involved with criminal offenses
instead can relate to the positive side of young
America. Exploring provides the law enforcement
community an opportunity to further an investment
in its own future through relationships with
already healthy and secure young adults.
F. One method of developing and expanding Exploring can
be through a council task force encompassing a number
of cities or counties. Exploring, on a statewide
level, will benefit from a mutual aid concept where
sponsoring posts are able to share procedures,
program administration documents, and even more
important, participate in coordinated training and
social activities. It is possible that a number of
contiguous councils might elect to join together in a
multi-council task force.
G. The council approach is most successful when already
functional Law Enforcement Explorer Posts can serve
as models or assist in filling leadership positions
during initial expansion. Impact luncheons scheduled
individual meetings between department heads, and
workshops for potential post supervisors are helpful.
1.06 EXPLORER CODE AND ETHICS
A. I believe that America's strength lies in her trust
in God and in the courage and strength of her people.
I will, therefore, be faithful in my religious duties
and will maintain a personal sense of honor in my own
life. I will treasure my American heritage and will
do all I can to preserve and enrich it. I will
recognize the dignity and worth of my fellow man and
will use fair play and goodwill in dealing with them.
I will acquire the Explorer attitude that seeks the
truth in all things and adventure on the frontiers of
our changing world.
B. As a Williamson County Sheriff's Department Explorer,
my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard
lives and property; to protect the innocent against
deception, the weak against oppression or
intimidation and the peaceful against violence or
disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights of
all men to liberty, and justice.
C. I will keep my private life unsullied as an example
to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of
danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self restraint;
and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others.
Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and
official life. I will be exemplary in obeying the
laws of the land and the regulations of my unit.
Whatever I see or hear that is of confidential nature
or that is confided to me in my official capacity
will be kept ever secret unless revelation is
necessary in the performance of my decisions. I will
never act officiously or permit personal feelings,
prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence
my decisions.
D. I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of
public faith and I accept it as a public trust to be
held so long as I am true to the ethics of Law
Enforcement Exploring and the Police Service. I will
constantly strive to achieve these objectives and
ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen
profession.... LAW ENFORCEMENT.
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