Explorer Post #155
-Honorably serving with courage and integrity; striving to learn more-
(734) 994-2979
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHECK BACK OFTEN
Please Also See: http://www.ci.ann-arbor.mi.us/SafetyServices/Police/involved.html
About Explorer Post #155-
About Exploring
The primary mission of
the Ann Arbor Police/ATF Explorer Post is to provide a community resource for
young people interested in law enforcement as a career. The program is designed
to educate youth by developing an interest in law enforcement and also an
awareness of the special problems in law enforcement.
Composed of young
adults ages 14-21, the program is lead by youth members, under the supervision
and guidance of adult advisors (sworn law enforcement personnel). Founded in
1968, the Post is charted through the Ann Arbor Police Department and the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in one of the first
local-federal partnerships in the country. Post #155 is also part of the
National Law Enforcement Exploring Program lead by the Learning-For-Life
organization. Learning-For-Life helps develop Exploring programs in a variety
of fields including fire and emergency services, aviation, engineering, and law
and government, just to name a few.
The purpose of the
National Exploring program is to match the interests of young adults with
program resources to develop qualities such as character, citizenship, personal
fitness, and responsibility.
Locally, the Post aims
to develop these qualities while providing career exploration,
education/training, and service to the community.
Education
Instruction is provided
by sworn law enforcement personnel, guest speakers and senior Explorers at
weekly meetings. Through prior training and experience, they teach Explorers
techniques and skills in law enforcement disciplines ranging from crime
prevention to crime scene investigation. In addition, from these weekly meetings
and community service events, Explorers gain valuable interpersonal and life
skills.
Law Enforcement Explorers receive training that is similar to what sworn law
enforcement personnel receive. These skills are then put to the test in a
variety of scenarios at state and national competitions. Some topics that
Explorers are trained in include the following:
Building
Searches
Traffic Stops
Traffic Accident Investigation
Domestic Violence Intervention
Crime Scene
Investigation/Evidence Processing
Firearms
Arrest and Search Techniques
Patrol Techniques
Radio Codes and Procedures
Criminal/Constitutional Law
Report Writing
Traffic/Crowd Control
Emergency First Aid & CPR
In addition, it is
possible for members of the Post to obtain high school credits through some
area schools.
Exploration
To explore careers is
one of the fundamental missions behind Exploring programs nationwide. This is
accomplished by hands-on learning, mentoring, community service and observing
law enforcement in action. Through the program, Explorers meet and interact
with law enforcement personnel on a weekly basis, learn law enforcement skills
putting their skills to the test in community service events, scenarios and
competitions.
In addition, eligible Explorers (ages 16 and older) have the ability, and are
encouraged, to take part in a ride-along program. Through this program,
Explorers shadow an officer on their shift, respond to calls, and conduct
patrol. This allows Explorers to observe police work in action and see the profession
firsthand.
Service
In the 2003 calendar
year, the Ann Arbor Police/ATF Explorers logged in over 1,500 hours of service
to the community-nearly double the amount of hours for 2002. In this time,
Explorers have performed duties ranging from providing traffic and crowd
control for over 110,000 people at the
Additionally, the Post
can act as a resource to area departments in emergency situations such as in a
natural disaster or locating missing persons or property.
Some events that the post
supports include the following:
Art Fair
Crime Prevention Details
Downtown Events
Outreach/Education Programs
University of
History of Post #155-
The oldest in the State
of
Originally organized
under the Ann Arbor Police Department Youth Bureau, it was hoped that the
program would both attract area teenagers and spawn a cadet program with the
eventual goals of making them sworn police officers. Although the cadet program
was never created, hundreds of youth have taken part in the program and many
have pursued careers in law enforcement, the military and the federal
government. In addition, multiple former members now hold successful careers in
the private sector.
In 1998, the Post
attended its first national conference in
Near the turn of the
century, the Post started a partnership with the Detroit Field Division of the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), becoming one of the first posts
in the nation to have a local-federal partnership, and the only such one in
At the 2000 National
Law Enforcement Exploring Conference held in,
In 2001, the first Ann
Arbor Police Explorer was selected to attend a national leadership academy
hosted by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Two years later, an additional
two Explorers attended the prestigious National Law Enforcement Exploring
Leadership Academies, one hosted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and
the other by the
In 2003, the Post
attended the annual state exploring competition held in Alpena, and for the
first time in the Post's history, won the Governors' Cup (first overall), in
addition to first, second, and third place awards. That same year, due to
budget cuts, the post's annual Departmental funding was dropped. Thanks to a
generous, anonymous donor, a donation of over $8,000 was made, equivalent to
the previous year's budget. That same year, the Post officially became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is still committed to
carrying on its tradition of service and education.
Membership-
Requirements
for Membership
Must
be 14-21 years of age
Have and maintain a 2.0 GPA or
"C" average
Not have been convicted of a
serious crime
Be willing to commit to the
Post
Receive parental approval/permission
Application
Process
Visitor- The most effective way to learn
about the program is to see it in action. Because of this, we encourage
prospective members to attend one of the Post's weekly meetings. Meetings take place
every Wednesday from 6:45 pm - 9:00 pm in downtown
Explorer
Recruit- After
attending three (3) consecutive meetings, prospective Explorers will receive an
application. The five page application includes employment history,
reference and acquaintance information, education history and a background
questionnaire, amongst other topics.
Probationary
Explorer- Once
the application is completed and returned, prospective Explorers begin a
probationary period as an Explorer. Over a minimum of three months,
Probationary Explorers must complete an intensive program that includes
training and a background investigation. Explorers are also required to observe
operations within the Department and participate in community service events
under the close supervision of Senior Explorers. Explorers must also
successfully pass a written exam covering Post operations and rules and
regulations.
Explorer- After the completion of their probationary period,
Explorers receive their uniform and become full members of the Post. After
gaining experience, Explorers are eligible for promotion into leadership positions
and special opportunities at state and national levels.
Support-
Due to the recent
economic downturn, the Police Department has been forced to cut many expenses.
Deemed an unnecessary service to the community, the program's operating budget
was discontinued in 2003. Due to coverage through the local media and thanks to
a generous, anonymous donor, in excess of $8,000 was donated, equivalent to the
previous year's budget. The money used from this donation has continued the
Post's mission in serving the community. That same year, the Post officially
became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is still
committed to carrying on its tradition of service and education.
While the Post is no
longer funded by its sponsoring organizations, the departments have continued
to support the program in non-monetary ways by flexing advisor vacation time
and providing equipment and meeting space for post activities.
The Post is committed
to providing its community service free of charge and not excluding members from
activities because of financial reasons. However, individual Explorers with as
much Post support as possible, cover the costs of national dues, insurance,
uniforms, equipment, competition and travel. 100% of all donations received go
to the Post and subsidize the multiple expenses that the program encounters to
achieve its mission statement.
Multiple individuals,
civic organizations and corporations have supported Explorer Programs around
the country. If you, or someone you know, would like to support Ann Arbor
Police/ATF Explorer Post #155, please contact Officer Jennifer Sartori.
Contact Information-
(734)
994-2979
JoinPost155@yahoo.com
Explorer
Command
General Questions & Commendations/Concerns/Feedback
Explorer Command-
Phone: 734-994-2979
Email: Exp_Command@yahoogroups.com
Recruiting Questions & Requests for Membership
Explorer
Recruiting-
Phone: 734-994-2979
Website Comments/Feedback
Explorer Webmaster-
Email: Post155Webmaster@yahoo.com
Current
Explorer Command
Captain T. Mapley
Lieutenant J. Janke
Sergeant K. Troost
Associate Advisor M. Rodriguez
Advisors
Donations/Support & Agency Questions
Officer
Jennifer Sartori
Community Affairs Officer, Ann Arbor Police Department-
Phone: 734-997-1122
Email: jsartori@ci.ann-arbor.mi.us
Special Agent George Goodman
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives-
Phone: 734-255-5064
Email: George.Goodman@atf.cgov
Links-
Sponsoring Agencies
Ann
Arbor Police Department-
http://www.ci.ann-arbor.mi.us/Police/index.html
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)-
http://www.atf.gov
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
http://www.atf.gov/field/detroit/index.htm
Exploring
Learning For
Life, National Law Enforcement Exploring-
http://www.learning-for-life.org/exploring/lawenforcement/index.html
Exploring.org-
http://www.exploring.org/
Preparedness
U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, Preparedness-
http://www.ready.gov/
City of
http://www.ci.ann-arbor.mi.us/SafetyServices/EmergencyManagement/index.html
American Red Cross, Washtenaw County Chapter-
http://www.wc-redcross.org/
Other
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration,
National Weather Service-
http://www.weather.gov/
Michigan State Police, Road Conditions-
http://www.ohsp.state.mi.us/rw/home.htm
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children-
http://www.ncmec.org/
Updated 10-17-2007 E-02