The San Benito County Sheriff’s Department is starting an
explorers program as a way to mold future officers who are informed
about police operations, while providing them with an opportunity
to be a more integral part of the community.
Hollister – The San Benito County Sheriff’s Department is starting an explorers program as a way to mold future officers who are informed about police operations, while providing them with an opportunity to be a more integral part of the community.
“The community doesn’t have that many youth-oriented programs,” said Deputy Roy Iler, director of the program. “It’s almost like a prevention program – they get involved with us and we don’t have to worry about them doing other things.”
The program breaks down any stereotypes or trepidation about law enforcement, and explorers are able to get a first-hand idea of what police officers do while focusing on a long-term career goal, said Lt. Pat Turturici
“When I was in college, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but when I got exposed to law enforcement I got motivated to finish school and go into the field,” Turturici said. “Even if one kid decides to do that, it’s a success. I hated that question, ‘What are you going to do after you graduate?’ Maybe some kids will know exactly what they want to do and get into law enforcement.”
Turturici said it’s becoming harder to find good cops, and that only one in 10 applicants are hired because of background issues and other factors.
“A good way to get started is to get involved when you’re younger and get focused,” he said. “Then you’ve got a better chance in getting hired.”
Explorers between the age of 14 and 20 would assist deputies with traffic and parking control during special events such as the San Benito County Fair and Saddle Horse Show Parade, attend educational meetings on issues such as radio communications and the penal code and go on ride-alongs with the officers, Iler said.
The program is ideal for anyone thinking about entering law enforcement in the future, or just for someone interested in the field, he said. It’s on a non-paid, volunteer basis and is available for explorers to participate in until their 21st birthday.
“They’ll get to see what the deputies see,” Iler said. “And hopefully we’ll get a return down the road and hire people from our own county to work here.”
The department had an explorer program until about eight years ago when it “fell by the way-side,” Turturici said, but about $6,000 left over from fund-raisers past explorers did is being used to start the new program.
Explorers will be required to purchase some of their uniform and gear, and will do fund-raisers in the future to help mitigate costs, Iler said.
The Hollister Police Department has had an explorers program since 1993, and it has been an excellent way to involve young residents in community affairs, said Officer George Ramirez.
Ramirez participated in an explorers program, which he said helped focus his desire to become a police officer and assisted him during his training to become one.
“It made the transition to being a full-time officer so much easier,” he said. “It offers kids invaluable experience and expertise.”
The police department has about 20 explorers in the program, but is still accepting applications for anyone interested in participating, Ramirez said.
To join the program, either through the sheriff’s department or the police department, people must be enrolled in school with at least a “C” average, have no serious criminal convictions or be on probation or parole, be a resident of the county and be willing to commit at least eight hours a month to the program.
The sheriff’s department is accepting applications now and hope to have the program up and running by November.
Anyone interested in becoming a sheriff explorer should contact Deputy Roy Iler at the San Benito County Sheriff’s Department at 636-4080. People can also download an application on the department’s Web site at www.sbcsheriff.org and deliver it to the sheriff’s office, located at 451 Fourth St. in Hollister.
Anyone interested in becoming a Hollister police explorer should contact the police department at 636-4330.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or em*******@fr***********.com
