On the job experience

Kid cops in North Idaho? You bet! Almost a year ago, the Coeur d’Alene Police Department embraced a program that’s fairly new to the area. The Explorer program introduces youths 16 to 21 years old to hands-on instruction in law enforcement. They work with area police officers and learn about traffic and crowd control, fingerprinting and much more.

The program, sanctioned by the Boy Scouts of America through its Learning for Life program, has been adopted in many cities throughout the United States.

“Our police officers are very supportive of the program, and many go out of their way to volunteer as mentors for these kids,” said Coeur d’Alene police officer Jeff Walther.

“I’ve been involved since I was an Explorer for the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office when I was a teenager,” Walther said. “Like most past Explorers will tell you, it changes your life. You’re exposed to dynamic leaders and mentors and a career like no other.”

Youths enter the program through an application process and interviews as if they were applying for a regular job in law enforcement.

“The program is designed to be as real as we can make it so they get a taste of what things are like in this career,” Walther said. “They are held to very high standards and are expected to conduct themselves as examples to the community whether they’re at an Explorer event or at the grocery store.”

Explorers are taught variations of the same things police officers are taught at the police academy. They ride with officers in patrol cars and learn about officer safety. They learn from active and retired police officers, instructors and guest speakers.

“They would train twice as much as they do now if we let them,” said Walther. “Once they get a taste of how rewarding this career is, they can’t help but be dedicated and passionate about it.”

Walther says he thinks most Explorers will go into law enforcement after they finish the program.

“We have a handful of police officers in the department now who were Explorers as kids. We also have Explorers who already have started the law enforcement program at North Idaho College.”

Jordan Noble, 19, who has been in the Explorer program since it began last year, especially enjoys ride-alongs and the teamwork involved.

“The cops treat us really well and tell us what we can and can’t do. Their main goal is our safety,” Noble said.

“I’ve always wanted to be a police officer. This is a good way to get my foot in the door. Right now I’m in the law enforcement block at NIC, so hopefully I can be a reserve pretty quick and then move up the ladder to a full-time position.”

Laura Gutierrez, 17, joined the Explorers last May.

“I wanted a career that allows you to retire and has great benefits. I didn’t want to join the military, and I figured law enforcement would be a good way not only to help me but help the community, too,” Gutierrez said.

“I was interviewed by the three officers who are involved in the program and was accepted. I was extremely excited about that. I can wear the uniform and be proud of it,” she said.

Gutierrez recently performed her first official duty as an Explorer, directing traffic at the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Her adviser said she thanked him profusely from downtown all the way back to the station.

“It was amusing to see how excited she was about a job like traffic control,” Walther said. “To a police officer, it’s a necessary part of the job but not the most desirable. But to a young Explorer, getting out there in uniform and directing traffic like a regular police officer is exciting and exhilarating.”

Explorers help with parades, lost-and-found booths at public functions and DNA kits for children. They also learn about the paperwork that comes with the job.

“It’s funny to see how excited the kids get about things and all the ideas they get from TV,” Walther said. “When we first started, I asked them what kinds of training they wanted and wrote their answers on the board.

“When the flurry of ideas was over, we looked at the list. It looked like the resume of a mercenary soldier – SWAT training, building entry, tactical shooting, wall rappelling, defensive tactics and pursuit driving. Not one of them mentioned report writing or traffic control.”

Half the youths in the first group of Explorers have moved on to college or the military. Six kids are enrolled in the program now, and the Police Department is looking for nine more.

If you’re interested in this opportunity, check with your school counselor, the NIC law enforcement program or the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.