MONROE POLICE
DEPARTMENT
EXPLORER PROGRAM
GUIDELINES
These are the guidelines for each and every Explorer
participating in the Monroe Police Department Explorer Post 262. These rules will apply to everyone at all times. No Exceptions!
Remember that we represent the Monroe Police Department, so what we do at meetings and at events will reflect on the Chief
of Police, the advisors, and all the Monroe Police officers.
1- Requirements for an Explorer
a. The Explorer must be between the ages
of fourteen (and be in the ninth grade) and twenty-one
b. The Explorer must be approved by the
post Advisor
2- Required forms:
a. General information sheet
b. A statement of consent and limitation of liability will be
signed by the parents or legal guardian of the Explorer
c. A medical release must be signed authorizing police
officers to consent to emergency medical treatment
for Explorers
d. All youth will have a Hepatitis B Vaccination Declination
on
file.
3- Meetings
a. Meetings are held the first and third
Tuesdays of each month promptly at 1900 to 2100 hours
1. They are held in the Duty Room of the Monroe
Police
Department.
- (218 East
Franklin Street)
2. All Explorers need to report five minutes early for
the meeting, since it starts promptly at 1900 hours
3. Explorer Officers must report at 1830 for an
Officer Meeting
b. Meeting Consists of
1. Meetings will start with the Captain calling the post
to
Attention.
- Recite the Pledge of Allegiance
- Recite the Explorer Code
-
The Explorers are required to learn the
Explorer Code
2. New Business / Upcoming Events
3. Old Business / Committees
4. Class
c. All Explorers are required to bring
the following:
1. Notebook- All handouts should be kept in this
2. Pens-Black ink
3. Paper to take notes on
4. Calendar
4- Community Events
a. These events are the only time that some kids will ever have
with a police officer. We must be on our best behavior around
community.
b. Class A uniforms are to be worn at all community events, unless otherwise
stated.
c. We need all the Explorers at all the events.
1. Arrive 15 minutes early to help with setup and to receive instructions
2. Events are usually told at least a month in advance, there should be no
reason why
you cannot attend.
- Unless an emergency happens
- It looks very bad when there are only two to four Explorers present
3. If you
are too tired to stay awake at an event. Then tell one of the officers
and then call for a ride home
5- Attendance
a. Attendance will be taken at all meetings by the Sergeant/Secretary.
1. See Meetings
b. If an Explorer misses a meeting, it is the Explorer’s responsibility to get the information he/she missed at that meeting.
1. The Explorer must call a fellow Explorer for the information, because
they are responsible
for all information missed
c. For all activities or events, besides meetings, the Explorer is responsible for
filling out an activity sheet indicating the date, length of time and a description of the activity or event.
1. If the Explorer does not turn in an activity
sheet, then the Explorer will be counted as absent.
2. All activity
sheets should be given to the Lieutenant
d. Explorers must email or call the Captain or the head advisor to request an
excused absence.
1. All requests must be requested at least two weeks in advance
- Unless it is an emergency
2. The Captain or head Advisor will call
the Explorer back within 24 hours of receiving the voice mail or email. If the Explorer does not receive a call from the Captain,
then they need to contact that person another way
e. Excused Absences are generally predictable and are to be planned in advance.
Examples include:
1. School
2. Celebration of his/her birthday
3. Family Obligations
4. Incapacitated by illness or injury
5. Employment
f. If the Explorer signs up and does not show up, certain consequence will be put into
effect. See Consequences.
g. If an Explorer backs out of an event that the Police Department has paid for, and
a refund can not be obtained, the Explorer takes on the responsibility of
reimbursing the PD for the event
1. Exceptions would be emergencies
6- Uniforms/Appearance and Conduct
a.
Every meeting and event (unless specified) the following is required
1. Short Sleeve Class A consists of
- Blue Short Sleeve Uniform Shirt
- White Undershirt
- Black Uniform Pants
- Black Belt
- Black Socks
- Black boots – (no sneakers)
- Nametag – over right breast pocket
- Small Notepad - in right breast pocket
- Two Pens – Black Ink
2. Long Sleeve Class A consists of
- Blue Long Sleeve Uniform Shirt
- Black Tie
- White Undershirt
- Black Uniform Pants
- Black Belt
- Black Socks
- Black boots – (no sneakers)
- Nametag – over right breast pocket
- Small Notepad - in right breast pocket
- Two Pens – Black Ink
3. The Uniforms are only to worn at Explorer
events
- Consequences will be taken if the uniforms
are worn without permission
4. All uniforms are to be returned at the
end of your membership. The Explorer is responsible for their uniforms.
-By signing these Guidelines, the Explorer
understands that they must return your uniforms at the end of your membership.
b. Other Explorer Uniforms
1.
Explorer T-Shirt
- To be worn on training days
2.
Polo Shirt
3.
Blue or Black BDUs
4.
Camouflage
- Only to be worn during paintball or other
practice. Do not wear unless directed by one of the Advisors
c. Appearance
1. Uniform shirts will
be clean and free of offensive odor.
2. Uniform pants will be fastened at the
waist
- Pants will not be worn below the waist
i.e. If the Explorer’s underwear can
be seen, then the pants are too low
3. Boots will be shined at all events
4. Male’s Appearance
- Hair will be neatly groomed
- Hair should not fall
below the bottom of the shirt collar
- Hair should not extend
more than two inches from the scalp
- If the Explorer has
facial hair, then he should be neatly shaved.
- No earrings are allowed
while in uniform
- Dog tags or necklaces must be concealed
by the uniform shirt. - One conservative* watch is permitted.
- A maximum of two conservative* rings
5. Female’s Appearance
- Hair will be neatly groomed
- Hair longer than the collar will be worn
in a bun, braid or ponytail.
- Earrings may be small stud-type earrings
conservative* in appearance
- Maximum two per ear
- One conservative* watch is permitted.
- A maximum of two conservative* rings
- A maximum of two conservative* bracelets
- Make-up, if used, will
be conservatively*
- Fingernail polish,
if used, will be a light color
* If the advisor or Explorer officers deem an
item inappropriate, the Explorer is required to fix it or remove the item
d. Conduct of an Explorer
1. The Explorer is a representation of the Monroe Police Department
- The Explorers are watched all the time
by the public. If an Explorer acts inappropriately, it looks bad on the Police Department. If the deed is really bad, the
Explorer may be asked to leave the Explorer Post indefinitely.
2. It is the Explorer’s responsibility
to let the Captain know if they change their address or phone numbers.
7- The Explorer is prohibited from the following
a. Drinking while on -duty*
1. Any Explorer found in the possession of alcohol will be dismissed
immediately
b. Smoking while on duty*
1. Any Explorer found in the possession of illegal narcotics or other
habitual drugs
will be dismissed immediately
c. Sleeping while on duty*
1. See Consequences
d. Carrying a firearm (unloaded or loaded)
1. Any Explorer found in the possession of a firearm will be dismissed
immediately.
e. Bringing any offensive material while on duty*
1. Any Explorer found in the possession of any offensive material will be
dismissed
immediately.
f. Using Offensive Language or gestures while on duty*
1. See Consequences
*On Duty is defined as participating in the ride-along
program or any other Explorer function.
8- Consequences
a. First Offense*
1. Verbal Warning or Push-Ups
b. Second Offense
2. Pushups – Number is determined by the action
c. Third Offense
3. Probation
- Banned from Paintball / Fun Activities
- The Explorer must report to all meetings
- The Explorer must report to all events
d. Fourth Offense
4. Dismissal from the Explorer Post
*Depending on the seriousness of the offense,
the advisor may move to dismissal
9-
School Work:
a. The Explorer must keep a C- Average in school
b. The Explorer can not have any disciplinary action taken against him/her in
school
1. All disciplinary actions must be reported to the head advisor ASAP.
- Failure
to report may lead to dismissal.
10- Ride-Alongs
a. The Explorer must have successfully
completed the minimum ride-along training program before riding.
b. Training- Explorers are required to
complete the following training exercises before partaking in a ride-along:
1. Daily operations
of a police officer
2. Post guidelines
3. Familiarization
with the police vehicle and equipment
4. Dress and
equipment required when participating in the ride-along:
- Required
Uniform
- Equipment (notepad, pen or pencil, flashlight,
and weather gear, where applicable)
5. Expected
conduct of an Explorer
- Follow directions
of officer
- Explorer will not carry on a conversation
with any prisoner, witnesses, or
complainant, unless specifically by the officer.
6. Code of
Ethics for police officers
7. Additional
training to include:
- Note taking
/ report writing
- Geographic
orientation of the area
- Communications
and radio procedures
c. The Explorer must ask permission from
the advisors before participating in a ride along. Advisors have the option of suspending ride along privileges because any
kind of rule infraction.
d. An Explorer must report 15 minutes before
the scheduled ride-along time. The Explorer must be in a clean, pressed, and complete uniform when riding.
e. Explorers will ride only with officers
who meet the officer’s criteria.
1. An officer must
have at least one (1) year of experience.
2. The officer
must have no compromising disciplinary action on file.
3. The consenting
officer must receive an orientation to the Explorer
program rules
and guidelines before participation.
4. The officer must be furnished with a copy of the Explorer program
guidelines for future reference.
f. The Explorer must follow the supervising
officer’s directions regardless of his/her personal feelings.
1. Any disagreement or argument with the
supervising officer must be reported to the Advisors in writing as soon as possible.
2. No Explorer will be required to obey an
order that is contrary to the law.
g. The Explorer is responsible
for filling out an activity sheet for each ride-along.
1. Return sheets to the Lieutenant
11- Calls in Which Explorers May Participate
a. Explorers participate in the ride-along
program are observers. Explorers may fulfill various duties as determined by the ride-along officer, including:
1. Traffic/Crowd control (ex. Public functions)
2. Radio operation
3. Motorist assistance
4. Completion of routine paperwork that will
not be used in any court action
5. Crime scene
protection
6. Interpretation, as needed
12- Calls in Which Explorers May NOT Participate
a. AT NO TIME will Explorers be at risk
or used in dangerous or undercover activities, in accordance with the policy on covert operations. Some specific functions
to avoid:
1. Interviewing/Interrogating witnesses or suspects
2. Participating in or being left in control of the arrest of any prisoner
3. Leaving the police vehicle, unless instructed to do by the assigned officer
- In case of an immediate emergency, the
Explorer will use their own judgment.
4. Assisting
at any scene, unless instructed to do so by the assigned officer
5. Being armed
in any manner
6. Signing any arrest, offense, accident report, traffic citation, or other legal
document
7. Assisting in providing cover for any possible crime in progress
8. Driving vehicles
- No Law Enforcement Explorer, whether
or not in uniform, should drive a marked patrol vehicle.
- The only exception to this policy is
in authorized competitions in which adult law enforcement official shall ride in the front passenger seat.
9. Riding
with any vice, narcotics, or organized division
13- High-Risk Procedure
a. The officer returns the Explorer to
the station or stops at the first safe, convenient location and radios the position of the Explorer so that another unit can
pick up the Explorer while the dispatched officer proceeds to the assignment.
14- Law Enforcement Officer Code of Ethics
As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental
duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression
or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence and disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all persons to
liberty, equality, and justice.
I will keep my private life unsullied as
an example to all; maintain courage in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful
of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying
the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. What I see or hear of a confidential nature or that which is confided
in me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.
I will never act officiously or permit
personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for criminals, and
with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courageously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice
or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence, and never accepting gratuities.
