News Flash

Young men and women with an interest in possibly pursuing a career in law enforcement or a related field of the criminal justice system can get a personal education and experience regarding what it’s like to be a police officer by taking part in the Roswell Police Department’s Explorer program.

RPD is restarting its Explorer Post 911 in May after the program was dormant for the last two years because of department staffing issues that impacted the number of available officers who could serve as advisers for the program. With a new roster of officer advisers, the local Explorer post will reactivate beginning with an Open House Thursday, May 2, to introduce potential participants and their parents to the program. The Open House at 6 p.m. at the police station will offer a chance to learn about the program’s goals, activities and benefits, as well as its requirements of participants.

The Explorer program is open to ages 14 to 21. Post 911 will meet the first and third Thursdays of each month. The meetings are held at the Roswell Police Department (128 W. Second St.) at 6 p.m. and usually last no more than two hours. Each participant is provided a uniform through the financial assistance of community organizations and individuals. Participants do need to buy their own pair of boots.

Officers who serve as advisers to the Explorer post will be available at the May 2 Open House to present information and answer questions. They will also be able to assist participants and parents in completing the application for the program. The program’s registration cost is still being determined, but information about that should be available at the Open House.

Roswell Police Explorer Post 911 is part of a Boy Scouts of America subsidiary called Learning for Life, which provides various Exploring programs, including Law Enforcement Exploring, which is also known as Police Explorers. The national Police Explorers program was founded in 1973. The Roswell Police Explorer Post 911 began in 2011.

The Police Explorers program offers young men and women a personal awareness of law enforcement work and the criminal justice system through training, practical experiences, competition and other activities. The program also promotes personal growth through character development, respect for the rule of law, physical fitness, good citizenship and patriotism.

Two current RPD members participated in the local Explorer program before fulfilling their career desire to become police officers.

For more information about Roswell Police Explorer Post 911, email Sgt. Mike Fry at m.fry@roswell-nm.gov.