After two weeks of grueling drills and disciplined learning, more than 30 young recruits have graduated from the annual Central Coast Law Enforcement Explorer Academy.
Each year, dozens of young people attend the academy to learn about law enforcement as a profession. The academy is sponsored by a coalition of local law enforcement agencies, including the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and Santa Maria Police Department, and provides a framework for authorities to build on once the recruits return to their respective agencies.
In a recent interview with the Sun, David Robertson, Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputy and Explorer Academy adviser, described the boot camp-style course.
Explorers, he said, are expected to “exhibit self-discipline and teamwork.” Throughout the academy, they participate in paramilitary exercises and take classes on the criminal justice system, law enforcement ethics, and firearms training.
Robertson said he and his fellow law enforcement peers try to make the academy as realistic as possible by creating real-life scenarios.
“They get pepper-sprayed,” Robertson said. “They go on ride-alongs with us. At that time, they’re the No. 2 people in the cars with us, and you never know what’s going to happen. Sometimes they get pepper-sprayed. We want them to know that if that happens, it’s not the end of the world. They can fight through it.”
Graduating recruits receive certificates of academy completion, and some are acknowledged with leadership awards.
The Explorer program, Robertson said, is perfect for people interested in careers in law enforcement because it ensures there are no surprises in the real academy.
“I’ve always seen working for the police department as an admirable profession,” said Anthony Aristizabal, explaining why he decided to join the Explorer program.
“I sat down one night to really think about where I was going in my life,” he said. “I was taking engineering classes, but I didn’t really enjoy them. I really wanted to help people.”
Aristizabal signed up for the Explorer program through the Lompoc Police Department.
“My favorite part is growing as a team,” he said. “Coming into the academy, you think if you just do all your memos and stay on top of your codes you’ll be OK, but it’s more than that. You have to work as a team.”
The experience, he said, has also taught him self-discipline.
“I’ve never had too much discipline in my life,” Aristizabal said. “But I really like it because I like the challenge.”
The Law Enforcement Explorer Academy is open to enrollees ages 14 to 21. To participate, recruits must have completed the eighth grade.
For more information on the program, visit learning-for-life.org/exploring/
lawenforcement.
This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 6, 2009.