Guilderland Police Explorer Post

 

 

On January 30, 1992, The Guilderland Police Department established it's first Explorer Post. The post was created in response to a strong interest expressed by the community youth. The main focus of the program is to provide an opportunity for the youth of the community to explore a career in Law Enforcement. It also is an effective program in building character traits such as leadership and responsibility. Furthermore, the program show the youth the difficult decisions made by police officers daily through presentations and workshops done by officers of the Guilderland Police. The post was originally comprised of 12 members and now usually runs between 10-20 members.

 

 

The methods of Exploring have been carefully chosen to meet the needs of young adults.

- Voluntary association between youth and adults. Because Exploring is voluntary, youth are receptive to new ideas, experiences, and relationships. For the Explorer, these relationships provide a connection to new ways of thinking and acting as well as a new identity as a responsible young adult.

- Ethical decision making. Exploring asks young people to be responsible for themselves, for a program of activities and experiences, and for other people, thereby providing numerous opportunities for youth to make effective and ethical decisions. These opportunities are enhanced by the influence of capable adults and structured activities.

- Group activities. Exploring activities are interdependent group experiences. Success depends on the cooperation of all.
 

- Recognition of achievement. Recognition might come through formal awards, but it also is achieved through the acknowledgment by peers and adults of a young person's competence and abilities.

- Democratic process. Explorer posts provide exposure to democratic ideals and skills that are needed throughout life.
* Curiosity, exploration, and adventure. Curiosity is encouraged and a sense of exploration and adventure is developed through new experiences that provide opportunities for youth to acquire new skills and participate in action-oriented activities.

 

 

The objectives of the Guilderland Explorer Post are:

- To bring together the youth of the community in an effort to further their knowledge and to increase their understanding of Law Enforcement.

- To improve relations between the youth of the community and the Police Department.

- To create and further and interest in Law Enforcement as a potential career, if so desired.

- To assist the Police Department in the performance of their duties and special functions.

 

 

Guilderland Explorers participate in many community service events which in the past have included the Guilderland Elks Flag Day Parade, Albany County Traffic Safety Weekend at Crossgates Mall, the Guilderland Y.M.C.A. Triathlon, Operation Safe Child events, Albany County Stop D.W.I. Panels, the Guilderland Police Halloween Extravaganza and Guilderland Police Bicycle Rodeos.