The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Explorer Academy is a 15-week program, where young adults learn more about the Sheriff’s Department.
The academy is held every Saturday. The next academy will be held at STARS Center in Whittier starting Saturday, Aug. 26. The academy is scheduled to be completed by Saturday, Dec. 16.
Once the recruits graduate, each recruit will be assigned to the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station.
In order to participate in the academy, the recruit must:
- Be between the ages of 14 and 19
- Have a GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Have no serious criminal record/probation
- Must pass drug screening
- Must submit to a background check
The Explorers will be trained in understanding laws, searching/handcuffing, writing reports and handling calls for service (domestic violence, family disturbance, felony traffic stops, active shooters, assaults, etc.).
When trained, they can go on “ride-alongs” with full-time deputies on patrol in La Cañada Flintridge or La Crescenta. As the Explorer gains experience, they will have the opportunity to go on ride-alongs at other stations throughout the county.
The Crescenta Valley Station Explorers also assist with numerous community events such as the La Cañada Fiesta Days Parade, La Cañada Turkey Trot, National Night Out and the station’s Haunted Jail.
Meetings are usually held every second and fourth Monday of each month, excluding holidays, school commitments, family obligations, among others.
Over the years, Explorers have gone onto the Naval Academy, Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, Marine Corps and the Coast Guard. Several Explorers have graduated from the Sheriff’s academy and become Los Angeles County deputy sheriffs, San Diego County deputy sheriffs, Glendale police officers and Los Angeles police officers.
Individuals between the ages of 14 and 19 with an interest in law enforcement, may contact the Explorer Coordinator Deputy Marcelo Ruiz at (818) 236-4026.
First published in the July 27 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
