Explorer Program offers road to CHP career

Are you between the ages of 15 to 21 and looking for an exciting opportunity to work side by side with California Highway Patrol officers? Is your dream to one day become a CHP officer? Then the CHP Explorer Program is for you

The motto of the CHP Explorer Program is “Learning to serve the public with dedication and commitment.” Dedication and commitment to something bigger than yourself and learning to work as a team is all part of the CHP Explorer Program. Becoming a CHP Explorer can be listed as volunteer work on college and employment applications.

The mission of the CHP Explorer Program is to develop young men and women into responsible and productive citizens to serve their community. Explorers work with CHP officers learning all aspects of law enforcement. Explorers assist the CHP in the community and at emergency incidents. The CHP Explorer Program instills an understanding and appreciation for the justice system, and all the law enforcement communities, as well as being recognized as a feeder program into the cadet application process.

Explorer activities include:

Ride-alongs: I have had many opportunities while working the road to take CHP Explorers on ride-alongs. On one ride-along, I was dispatched to a major injury collision on Highway 180 at Blythe Avenue. The collision was blocking lanes and the injured parties were in need of minor medical attention. As the ambulance and fire engines were arriving on scene, I asked the CHP explorer to write down all the passenger and witness information, which assisted me with my investigation. The explorer also assisted me with traffic control and storing of the parties’ vehicles. I appreciated this assistance and I know he learned a lot about my job by working at a real collision scene.

Driving under the influence checkpoints: Explorers assist in storing the vehicles, filling out arrest paperwork, and doing minor traffic control.

Explorer competition: Competitions are a high point of the Explorer experience. Explorer posts (there are seven in the San Joaquin Valley alone) compete in search and seizure, enforcement tactics and vehicle stops.

Physical fitness training: The physical fitness training helps Explorers achieve the minimum qualifications of a CHP officer applicant, measured in the Physical Ability Test that includes a 1.5-mile run, push-ups, sit-ups and 300-meter sprint.

Community service: Explorers assist with our Physical Ability Test and at DUI checkpoints, child safety seat events, public information booths, traffic control at county fairs and traffic control at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Explorer meetings: Explorers meet monthly or bimonthly (depending on the post) to learn about CHP policy, everyday activities of a CHP officer, practice vehicle stops, perform physical methods of arrest, practice writing tickets, learn how to direct traffic, learn how to investigate a collision, and complete the required paperwork. They’re also trained in first aid and CPR.

There are some minimum qualifications for prospective Explorers:

▪ 15-21 years of age

▪ Have an interest in law enforcement

▪ Have at least a 2.0 GPA

▪ No drug or alcohol use

▪ Good citizenship

▪ No felony convictions

Central Division Area Explorer posts are in Fresno, Visalia, Madera, Los Banos, Merced, Modesto and Bakersfield.

For more information, send an email or contact your local CHP Office.

This story was originally published August 9, 2015 at 3:33 PM with the headline "Explorer Program offers road to CHP career."