The goal of the Community Outreach team of the Holly Springs Police Department is to develop and foster the relationship between the citizens of Holly Springs and those that protect them. The latest program that recently launched by the Community Outreach team is the Law Enforcement Exploring Post. The Exploring program is sponsored through the Boy Scouts of America and the Learning for Life Organization.
The Exploring program provides youth with opportunities to learn about law enforcement as a career and discover their future by participating in hands-on learning experiences as well as one-on-one mentorship from officers and adults in the law enforcement field.
Open to youth ages 14-20, those participating in the Holly Springs Exploring Post will join over 24,000 youth across the country who are taking the steps to become leaders in their community and to possibly become the future of law enforcement. In order to participate, prospective members must have no prior felony arrests or convictions, no prior misdemeanor convictions, no serious traffic offense convictions and must currently have and maintain a GPA of 2.0, and pass a background check that ensures they are of good moral character.
As part of the Explorer program, participants will take part in community service activities that allow them the opportunity to showcase the training and skills they have acquired while helping their communities. Explorers may also be asked to volunteer and assist with traffic control, event security, assisting with missing persons cases, clerical duties, fundraising, and local community improvement labor projects.
Explorers will also have the chance to demonstrate their accomplishments by attending at least one regional competition per year. The competition, known as “Winterfest,” is held in Gatlinburg, TN the first weekend in February. Throughout the year, beginning in May, Explorers undergo training in different areas of law enforcement, all leading up to Winterfest. Once established, the post will meet every first and third Wednesday of the month from 6:30pm-8:00pm at the Holly Springs Law Enforcement Center.
The yearly application and membership fee for the Explorer program is $29.50 per child for membership until the end of 2019 and $35.00 per full year of registration after that.
Imagine having the opportunity to explore your chosen career before making a lasting commitment. Young men and women in Holly Springs who have a desire to enter the world of law enforcement now have the opportunity to get a firsthand look at their chosen career field. Even more important, these young people will gain skills and experiences that will benefit them no matter where their futures take them.
For more information about the Explorers program, please contact Officer Boyd at 919-567-4732 or David.Boyd@hollyspringsnc.us.
