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The Explorer Cadet Program
Menlo Park Police has an active police
cadet unit sponsored by the police department. The program
is organized through the Explorer program of the Pacific Skyline
Council of Boy Scouts of America.
Menlo Park Police Explorer Post #844
is chartered by and organized through the Exploring Division
of the Boy Scouts of America. The Post began in 1969 when
a handful of young people interested in law enforcement decided
they wanted to learn more about police work. With the help
of several dedicated police officers the Post was formed.
Its purpose was then and still today
is to have a program in which young adults could closely examine
and work with the Police Department of Menlo Park. It is not
aimed solely at those persons who are interested in becoming
police officers but at all qualified persons who are interested
in finding out what their police officers do and in serving
their community.
- Members
must have reached their fourteenth birthday and may be no
older than twenty-one years. Applications may be submitted
at age 13 ½ years.
- Members
must be in good health and of good moral character.
- Members must demonstrate maturity,
honesty and responsibility. A record of criminal violations
may be grounds for disqualification.
- Members
must be sincere, willing to work and have an interest in
Law Enforcement.
- Members must maintain at least
a 2.0 or C average while attending high school or college.
Explorer Cadets perform a wide variety
of volunteer duties within the Police Department and for the
community as a whole. Cadets perform such tasks such as:
- Patrol ride-along
observations
- Assisting in the police records
office
- Assisting with departmental manpower
needs for special police activities such as parades, traffic
control, large gatherings, school dances and community events
Explorers search for missing children,
search for evidence involved in major crimes, help at disaster
scenes, assist in crime prevention programs and conduct tours
of the Police Department. They also receive training in first
aid, CPR, crime prevention, evidence searches, criminal law,
police science and many other law enforcement topics. All
cadets attend a regional Explorer Academy to learn the basics
of police work. The main purpose of the program is to give
young adults the opportunity to observe and learn.
Some MPPD Explorer Post activities
include:
- Traveling
to National and Regional Law Enforcement Explorer Conferences
- Regional
competitions
- Camping
or other fun out-of-town trips
- Working security for local school
dances and carnivals
Continuous applications are being
accepted until all positions are filled. Applications can
be dropped off or mailed to:
Menlo
Park Police Department
Attn: Explorer Cadet Program
701 Laurel Street
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Call or send an e-mail to capowell@menlopark.org
to request an application and set up a meeting.
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