What is the Explorers Program?
Exploring is an interactive, hands-on, career education program sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America and the Kennesaw Police Department. Participants in the program are called Explorers. The program serves young men and women who are 14 through 21 years old. Exploring units have a specialized focus on a single career field, our program has a specific focus on Law Enforcement and Community Relationships. The Explorers is a youth-based community outreach program where our future leaders learn life skills and what it would be like to become a police officer.
The Kennesaw Police Department will offer classroom discussion learning environments. Topics will include Police Policy & Practices, Criminal Procedure, Case Law Precedence, Current Events, Georgia State Law, U. S. Constitutional Law, and The Bill of Rights. Explorers will understand how these topics guide police officers in their daily functions and duties while remaining within the boundaries of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
The Exploring classroom environment is designed to encourage open discussion while promoting the learning experience. The Kennesaw Police Department will provide real-world training scenarios in conjunction with the classroom experience. By combining classroom learning along with real-world police training scenarios, an Explorer will not only learn about specific police-related topics, but they will also learn how to apply the knowledge they have acquired.
KPD Explorers Mission Statement
The young men and women of the Kennesaw Police Department Explorers Post consist of youth from many area high schools who have come together to establish and build relationships with the Kennesaw Police Department.
“It is the mission of the Kennesaw Police Department Law Enforcement Explorers Program to introduce, educate, and involve the youth of our community in all aspects of police operations, and to create an interest in law enforcement.”
KPD Police Officer Advisors Mission
Kennesaw Police Department Explorers Program is operated by Uniformed Patrol Officers that have to dedicate their time and knowledge to guide the youth of our community in becoming successful productive members of society.
“It is the mission of the Law Enforcement Explorers Police Officer Advisor to educate, expose, and guide the youth of the Kennesaw Police Department Law Enforcement Explorers Program in all aspects of policing and create an interest in the career path of becoming a police officer.”
KPD Explorers Intent & Goals
A Kennesaw Police Department Explorer will gain Interpersonal Communication Skills, Listening Skills, Writing and Articulation Skills, Critical Thinking Skills, Self-Disciple, and Motivational Skills, including Leadership Skills.
• To install moral, and ethical character in our youth
• To enhance relationships between police officers and the community
• To teach the importance of professionalism
• To provide guidance and structure to the youth of our community
• To create future leaders and productive members of society
• To establish a working knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights
KPD Explorers Community Outreach & Volunteer Efforts
The Law Enforcement Explorers Program brings the Explorers into direct contact with the public and members of the community on a regular basis. The Explorers augment the Kennesaw Police Department Mission by acting as liaisons between members of our community and the Kennesaw Police Department, especially with members of their own age group. The Explorers are called upon to assist the Kennesaw Police Department by volunteering during city functions to include; Pigs & Peaches, Salute to America 4th of July Festival, Taste of Kennesaw, and A Day With Santa Parade. A Kennesaw Police Explorer can obtain upwards of over 100 volunteer community service hours in a period of one year.
KPD Explorers Oath of Office
The Kennesaw Police Department Law Enforcement Explorers Program has adopted the following oath of Law Enforcement Exploring to enhance and augment the purpose and mission of the Kennesaw Police Department Law Enforcement Explorers Program.
“As an Explorer, I will do my best to do my duty to my community and my country. I promise to respect the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Georgia. I do solemnly swear to keep my life unsullied and to help others at all times. On my honor, I will strive to uphold the traditions of the law enforcement community and to enhance the Kennesaw Police Department mission statement. I will hold true to the core values of the Kennesaw Police Department treating all people with respect, integrity, service, and excellence. I acknowledge that I am a representative of the Kennesaw Police Department and I will have the courage to conduct myself in a professional manner as a Kennesaw Police Department Law Enforcement Explorer.”
KPD Explorers Funding
The Kennesaw Police Department Explorers Program is a nonprofit organization. Our post is self-funded through generous donations from the Kennesaw Police Department Police Officers and through community members that support our program. If you chose to donate we accept checks and U.S. Currency. Donations can be dropped off at the Kennesaw Police Department, in the care of the Police Officer, Explorers Coordinator Officer M. Meade.
If you choose to donate:
Please Make Checks payable to:
KPD Law Enforcement Explorers
KPD Explorers Requirements
Members (Law Enforcement Explorer) of the Kennesaw Police Depart Law Enforcement Program must meet the following criteria:
• To Apply, applicants must be between the ages of 14 years old to 19 years old
• Explorers must have a guardian or parental permission in written format, included in the application
• Explorers must be enrolled in high school or a high school equivalent program
• Explorers must refrain from the use of and exposure to illegal substances
• Explorers must refrain from the use of and exposure to underage alcohol consumption
• Explorers must refrain from gang affiliation
• Explorers must pass a Criminal History Background Investigation. (Note: Concerning Explorers with a history of Status Offense(s) or Misdemeanor(s), a Waiver may be granted
How to Become a KPD Explorer (Open Door Policy)
Young men and women are eligible to apply between the ages of 14 and 19. Explorers who have joined the program prior to their 19thg birthday are eligible to remain with the Explorer Program until their 21st birthday. The intent behind this is to provide our Explorers a gateway into becoming police officers. At the age of 21, a Kennesaw Police Explorer can take off the Explorers Uniform and dawn the Kennesaw Police Department badge and uniform as a career police officer.
If you or someone you know is between the ages of 14 and 19 years, and interested in becoming a Police Officer or in a career in Criminal Justice Field, the Kennesaw Police Department invites you to attend any of our weekly meetings.
Upon attending an Explorers meeting, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the Explorers program, meet the Police Officer Advisors that generously donate their time to provide the best learning experience and obtain an application to join our ranks.
For more information on becoming a Kennesaw Police Department Explorer, please contact Officer David Buchanan by email at dbuchanan@kennesaw-ga.gov or by phone at 770-424-8274.
