The Lincoln Police Department is encouraging young people interested in law enforcement and criminal justice to consider joining its Explorers program. Investigator Sarah Mueller helps run the program, which is open to youth ages 14 through 20 who have completed eighth grade.
Explorers receive hands-on training and exposure to different areas of law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Mueller says the group recently traveled to St. Louis for a competition against 12 other teams and brought home four awards.
Lincoln Explorers took first place in domestic intervention, second in officer assist, and third in both crime scene and crisis intervention. One Explorer also received the Director’s Award for demonstrating leadership, perseverance and teamwork.
Mueller says the program exposes participants to many different aspects of policing, including forensics, K-9 operations, corrections and the court system. The Explorers program has been part of LPD for decades, and Mueller says the department is looking to add new members.
The first meeting of the new school year is September 2nd from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Southeast Police Station at 6601 Pine Lake Road.