New London police program seeks participants

By Staff Sgt. Joshua Wilson

Young people between the ages of 14 and 21 can learn abour careers in criminal justice.

Sponsored by the New London Police Department, theExplorer program is accepting new members.

Explorers is designed to introduce the many careers of criminal justice, including law enforcement, corrections, SWAT and K-9.

While the program is run by the youth, it is overseen by professionally trained officers who specialties cover a range of career fields. Explorers offer hands-on, real-life experience for the youth involved.

Those who participate in the Explorer program develop leadership and self-confidence through real-life challenges and problem solving.

The New London Police Explorers meet twice a month at the Washington Center in New London on Sunday evenings.

The cost to join the Explorer program is a one-time fee of $50, which includes the uniform shirt and registration for the first year. Every year after, the cost of registration is covered by the Explorer Post.
Over the past two years, the Explorers have contributed just less than 1,000 hours of community se
rvice.

The money raised not only covers the registration, but the seniors who continue onto college receive a scholarship (nine awarded in the past two years). The Explorers have donated $1,000 each to the Hatten Stadium Foundation and the School District of New London for a camera recording system in the police school liaison office.

Those who interested in Explorers, are invited to recruitment nights at 7 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 30 and Nov. 13, at the Senior Center, located inside the Washington Center.