Our goal is to provide an opportunity for high school students to explore law enforcement as a career. Regardless of their eventual choice, we hope to do everything in our power to ensure that our young people have an opportunity to gain an appreciation for the personal satisfaction that is experienced through community service.

Participants range in age from fourteen to seventeen. They work under the close supervision of our advisors, who are Downey Police Officers who have volunteered to serve in the program. These advisors are tasked with ensuring that the Explorers have a safe and positive experience.

Typically the Explorers meet on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. During these meetings, the Explorers prepare their uniforms for inspection and receive a review from the advisor. All uniforms and equipment are provided at no cost to the individual Explorer.

Often the Explorers work as a group, to complete assignments around the police station. On occasion they are given written assignments and spelling lists that are designed to better prepare them for the future, whether in an academic or career setting. To remain in the program, the participants must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.5 and have a good attendance record at school. If an Explorer is having a difficult time in a particular subject, they receive tutoring from their peers and direction from their advisor.

In addition to their typical duties, the Explorers participate in a number of community events. The Downey Christmas Parade, ARC Walk, Wilderness Park Fishing Day, Driving Under the Influence Checkpoints and our annual Easter Egg Hunt are examples of the types of events they are asked to participate in. During these events the Explorers are given an opportunity to assist as representatives of our Department.