Exploring a Law Enforcement Career
"The Explorers" is a club for teens that are considering a career in law enforcement. It is sponsored by the Maryland State Police.
The State Police had a chapter in Garrett County, but there was a lack of interest, so students in Garrett County joined the one in Allegany County. Local students wishing to join the Explorers will need to travel to Cumberland for meetings and events.
The Explorers website states the following about their club.
"This on-going program provides a unique opportunity for youth to learn about law enforcement career as well as; self discipline, respect, confidence, teamwork, and the desire to help others! Our goal is to teach the core values to succeed in life!"
The primary objective of the Maryland State Police Explorer Post #52 is to learn leadership skills while aiding sworn MSP personnel in a wide variety of functions within the community. The program also provides an insight into the demands of life as a State Trooper and a career in Law Enforcement. This program will prove to be beneficial to young persons regardless of their career choice. By participating in this youth volunteer organization, valuable skills can be developed that will assist throughout adult life. Skills that will be acquired are;
- Leadership
- Responsibility
- Awareness
- Physical Fitness
- Role Models
- Citizenship
- Community Involvement
- Self Discipline
Members of the club are involved in a variety of activities, many of which emphasize law enforcement. Officers from the State Police also often give talks and work with the youth.
If a student knows he/she wants to join the Maryland State Police, being an Explorer can give the student a "leg-up" in being selected as a cadet or being accepted in the police academy.
For youth who are considering a career in law enforcement of any kind other than State Police, being involved with the Explorers can have some added benefits, in that, it shows potential employers that an individual is serious about the career choice. For example, the FBI told us that if a student is in Explorers during his/her teens, the FBI would look at that as an indication that someone wanting to join the FBI has had a long-standing interest in law enforcement. The same went for the CIA and Secret Service.
Youth who have completed high school can apply to be a Cadet with the Maryland State Police if they know they want to work for the State Police. They only take a few cadets in our area, and the competition is stiff. However, if a student is accepted as a Cadet, he/she would ride with, and work with a seasoned State Police Officer during his/her time as a cadet. If a cadet does well, the Maryland State Police will sponsor him/her to the police academy, which means he/she will automatically get in. What's more, a Cadet's time is applied toward his/her retirement. Therefore, if the student does join the State Police, the time spent as a Cadet counts in the total years needed to retire. How's that for a bonus?
For more information about the Explorers, please visit their website at: www.facebook.com/MSPCumberlandExplorers.
For more information about the Cadet program, please contact the McHenry Barracks of the State Police at 301-387-1101.
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