As we conclude another great year at the Delaware State Fair, it is good to know the DSP Explorers have continued their proud tradition of providing dedicated service for nearly 30 years to the friendly folks of Delaware. Click on link to find out more: A History within a History of Delaware State Troopers at the State Fair

Students in high school give back to their community

Since the 1990’s, the Delaware State Police have sponsored high school students as Explorers throughout the state. Explorers participate and assist in community service events like fingerprinting children, assisting missing children at the Delaware State Fair, participating in the Special Olympics Delaware 5k run and Polar Bear Plunge and provide additional security at different venues like Delaware’s Punkin’ Chunkin’.

Why should you be interested in joining?

This is an excellent training and educational opportunity for teenagers who are interested in building a career in law enforcement. It creates an avenue to begin practicing policing skills at an early age. To find out more click on the following link: http://dsp.delaware.gov/explorers.shtml

The Delaware State Police Explorers Program offers valuable experiences in preparing high school students planning a profession in the field of criminal justice. The training provides a clear picture of the mission, purpose and objectives of law enforcement. Part of this very important undertaking is to offer Delaware youth personal growth and awareness through training with practical experiences. This program provides countless leadership opportunities as well as community service activities. The key goals of the program are to help young adults choose a career path within law enforcement and to challenge them to become responsible citizens in their communities.

Lastly, Law Enforcement Exploring is a well-established and highly respected program that has served as a platform from which countless young adults have launched a successful career with state and other law enforcement agencies.

Benefits and first-hand experience

Explorers meet and learn about interesting topics of law enforcement. They are issued uniforms and all necessary equipment to accomplish their mission. They participate in local and out-of-state training conferences, field trips, and in the Divisions Police Ride-Along Program. Explorers also assist with law enforcement related activities such as traffic direction, parades, community outreach, crime prevention programs and child fingerprinting. In addition, they travel to compete in nationally recognized competitions all over the country.

The Explorers participate in many hands on role-playing exercises to assist them with real life situations. They receive invaluable training in CPR, first aid, radio communications, patrol procedures and techniques, defensive tactics, traffic laws and firearm safety. They partake in a low-level confidence course to help increase strength and build teamwork. Most of the Explorers go on a ride along to experience real first-hand police work and they are taught how to complete an incident and traffic report. In addition, they learn about and take part in multiple scenario-based incidents to teach them the skills to handle many different circumstances. Explorers that successfully graduate our program can be recommended for sponsorship into the local Police Academy which may open many doors for its participants and guide them to a rewarding career in Law Enforcement.

Quotes:

I have gained many rewarding experiences from the explorers program over my seven years in the program. I was able to determine a career path at a young age that allowed me to pinpoint my focus in my studies. The explorers also allowed me to develop personally and professionally by participating in numerous community service events. One of the most important things that I will never forget is the support from the advisors and mentors. The advisors are current Delaware State Troopers, who have a passion for their career and want to pass that on to the younger generations to follow in their footsteps. I truly believe that I would not have succeeded as well as I did in the Delaware State Police hiring process without my time in the explorers. I have been able to work alongside my former advisors and it has made the transition from Explorer to Trooper go smoothly. And lastly, I cannot thank my advisors enough for the help, knowledge and experiences that they shared with me to help me get to where I am today.

Trooper Patrick Gaskin
Delaware State Police
Former DSP Explorer

Unlike many, I was not positive I wanted to become a Trooper while attending high school, so I participated in the Delaware State Police Explorer program which opened my eyes to the many different jobs and duties there are as a Delaware State Trooper. The program allowed me to experience a ride-along which resulted in learning about the various possible complaints like domestics, traffic stops, and burglaries. This was a great experience as I quickly learned there is more to the career than what most think. Also, the program provided me with leadership, communication, and teamwork skills as the monthly meetings challenged everybody who attended. One of my favorite memories of the Explorer program was getting to tour the FBI academy in Quantico, Virginia. This was a, “Behind the scenes” experience that could not be replicated as we got to tour the infamous, “Hogan’s Alley” which is a training ground that was created in 1987 in order to provide the most realistic tactical experience to FBI Agents, Military, and Law Enforcement Officers. To say this trip was fun is definitely an understatement. Along with the trips which were taken, there was also the community service aspect of the Explorer program. This allowed me to learn to interact with the general public and assisted with my communication skills. All in all, I do not think I would be a Delaware State Trooper if the Delaware State Police Explorers program did not exist.

Corporal Michael Brent
Delaware State Police
Former DSP Explorer

The Delaware State Police Explorers provide excellent support to the mission and objectives of the Division. With eight (8) Posts throughout the State, one at each DSP Troop, the Explorers participate in a variety of community events and service initiatives. Some of the major events include their participation in the Delaware State Fair where they are tasked with assisting missing children being reunited with their parents, and the Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge where they assist with general public safety. The program has proved to be a success with various participants in the areas of leadership and communication, and several have gone on to be Cadets, and eventually Troopers.

Corporal Tyler Wright
Delaware State Police

It is free to join so please check us out and let us know if you would like to come to an introductory meeting. Please contact Corporal Tyler Wright at 302-672-5478 or by email Tyler.Wright@delaware.gov or click on the following link: http://dsp.delaware.gov/explorers.shtml

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Presented by the Director of Public Information Sergeant Richard D. Bratz

 Released: 072818 1231

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