Police Explorers recruiting teens

Community By David L. Snelling, Reporter Friday, November 5, 2021

   High school students interested in law enforcement careers can get a head start by joining the Miami-Dade Police Explorer Program.

     The agency’s district in Miami Lakes is recruiting students ages 14-17 to participate in drug free activities, interact with members of the law enforcement community and learn about laws.

    They’ll also be taught about the rights of citizens and perform community service at town events and police functions.

     So far, four students have joined the town’s program and more are welcome. 

     The town program helps prepare cadets for the Police Explorer Summer Academy the Miami-Dade Police Dept. holds in Doral.

     During that three-week course, cadets are pitched mock scenarios such as a burglary in progress, to see how they react and to earn points. There is also fitness training.

     “As an Explorer, you can learn so much to stay ahead of people in the police academy who never went through the Explorer program,” said Officer Kenny Torres, who with Officer Carlos Ortiz runs the town’s program.  “When the cadets graduate from the Summer Academy, they come out as completely different individuals, more mature and responsible,” said Sgt. George Soto, who oversees the town program. “It’s a big deal.”

     For information call 305-827-4020 or email CEOrtiz@mdpd.com or KTorres@mdpd.com.