Im joining a new Explorer Post...

[chucknorris1026]

I figured this is the best place to ask this....

So my local police department has decided to start a new Explorer Post. We are having our first nighter in November and i just wanna know some more info from actually LEOs or Explorers.

I have done my research about it and all that and wanted to know how your post is? Such as how much does it cost in total for uniform, flashlight, etc? Is this provided or do you have to buy all that? Also do you have to get a radio? I have seen other Posts that have them on each Explorer. (Is that the dept's radio and equipment or is thier personal equipment?)

Sorry if it sounds like i am wanting all that stuff to look like a cop. Im not. Just trying to get an idea of how other Explorer's Posts are, and what to expect.

Thanks everybody! LEO's-- Thank You for your service and God Bless Y'all!

[Jessyca]

It depends on the post, my post issues all uniforms (except boots) and basic equipment (you can upgrade equipment if you choose).

I'll send you a PM.

[SSD]

Our post some-what provides the uniforms, but they are not always new and not always availble. When I was an explorer, I had to purchase my Class A / B uniforms myself which cost me around $200(~$100 of which was reimbursed to me), my boots, nametags / collar brass, and my flashlight. With my activity level in the post and on ride-alongs, I opted to purchase a brighter streamlight flashlight than the required mag lite. The duty belt with its trimmings is issued to me. Similar to Jessyca, you can upgrade this equipment if you wish.

Radio wise, Our department has 10 radios or so in the briefing room which deputies and explorers use alike. (I couldn't imagine having to purchase my own one of these digital encrypted radios and having it programmed, the cost would be in the thousands as the base price of these without programming is around $1400). Lappel mics here, however, are not issued to deputies nor explorers and have to be purchased. They normally run around $60 depending on which model handheld it is for.

Hope this gives you some insight. It does depend on the post, however. Your equiptment situation could be totally different than mine.

[wantsabadge]

It totally depends on the post, when I joined my post it was brand new so we had a ZERO budget, the only thing they gave me was a light blur polo shirt, a size too big might I add, so everything else was purchased my self with my own money, class A class B collar brass, large and small ensign, nape tag, name tape for tact uniforms, class A hat (this was a blessing in disguise, we didn’t go with the somkey style hat but rather the round top air force style, that I later found out was cheaper and easier to maintain) silver pens and snake chain with the whistle, dress pants, BDUs, and a interesting cross of cargo pants with slacks that work awesome as a class B uniform bottom, boots. And so on.
The main part of the uniform and what cost me the most was of course the retarded belt, I’ve said it before and I say it again I would rather not have it but policy requires it and you cant fight well written policy. Everything I have on it I use, very regularly and everything is listed in policy under "required tools" so here we go and this will make people mad but,
Our dept. has a no leather policy so its all nylon, I didn’t want to use uncle mikes because from what I've seen and heard from local SO deputy is that it just doesn’t hold up, law pro was OK but I was hesitant on something that was so cheap, the reason I had already bought a "Value belt combo" from Galls and my reward was a belt that was OK but pouches that would not close AT ALL they were a trick, I swear once I opened the cuff case it never closed again, and it didn’t have any back bone to it. So I went with the advice from a SRO and bought safariland, and I love it, pricey but I haven’t had a problem with it, a single cuff case in the front, flash light ring, glove pouch (that I managed to fit like 5 pairs in that always seen to disappear at end of shift do to med calls) another single cuff case, that holds either a 2ed set of cuffs during training or more gloves during a ride along, and yes before anyone starts at hassle me they do get used and if I could take them off the belt I would because the case in right in my back and bugs the hell out of me when sitting. Then a radio holder a stinger holder and 6 keepers scattered through out, it cost a lot but I intend to use it when I get hired to so hopefully it will not go to waste, oh and all the stuff that goes in the pouches, cuffs stinger and the mag light yea they all came from my pocket too. Then now that I am in my EMT-Basic class and about to start my national regs. I have a BLS kit that I bought from Galls that goes with me on every ride I go on in the trunk of the car, it has already paid for its self because we are so small of a town the single duty officer is often the first on scene, and with a large MCI accident it helps the FD a lot if the cop and the explorer start treatment if qualified.

I hated having to buy all this but because we were new and because I was an "administrative officer" I had to look sharp and have the complete uniform. Now that the post is older everything is freaking provided form them, except for name plates and class B. so it totally depends on the post and how much operation capital it has, if they operate on very little then expect to be forking out fist fulls of money to buy the gear, even if you go with the cheaper stuff it still adds up, but if you have a large dept. that can "flow funds" to your post it shouldn’t be that bad, just pants boots and small stuff.

[Drummadude12]

My post is funded by certain details we work that pay money to the post's fund (too bad explorers don't get paid!)
Yet this fund allows the post to provide every explorer: 1 short sleeve class A shirt, 1 blue Class A pants, 1 short sleeve Polo, 1 black basketweave trouser belt, 1 Explorer badge (smaller and different style than LEOs - good idea).

Additionally, the LFL insurance is paid automatically every year after the first year.

There are 3 police-band radios in the dispatch center for explorers. We also have 6 VHF radios and 2 microphones, owned by the post, that I keep charged and ready to go in my home.

Explorers are allowed to purchase a flashlight (just get a mini LED light or a $20 Maglite), handcuffs (unnecessary but we are trained to use them - I don't carry), and some other things.
The only required purchases are blue BDU shorts and black shoes. I bought a name plate, rubber glove holder, radio holder, and D-cell ring.

[chucknorris1026]

hey thanks for all the inpfo from everyone of yall. its really nice to get some more ideas on other explorer's posts.

SSD- yeah i agree that it would be a little crazy to have to buy a radio... they are expensive. my cousin may have an extra i could have. she is a LEO at my post which is awesome.

-----Another Question----

How long is "probation" or whatever you want to call it before you get the unifrom? and about how long before you get to do ride alongs?-- and i have heard you have to pass a test on 10-codes to get to do them?

Once again thanks for everybodies input. i really appreciate it and am more excited about joining!

[wantsabadge]

Well, you sure do like to ask questions that are hard to answer, haha yet again it depends on the post. In some you actually have to go through several stages from applicant to senior explorer each step enjoying more rights than the last, such as better uniforms metal badges, more duty gear working events, holding rank, etc. totally depends on post structure. And yes as far as I know all posts have to, or at least should, have the explorer pass a written and oral test on that depts radio codes, weather it be 10 codes 11 codes or DC colds or all of the above, it isn’t that hard so don’t stress about it, once you get the codes just study, make up little situations in your head with simulated radio traffic to practice it helps.
I’m a capt in a post in AZ so if you have any questions just drop me a PM and I can tell you anything you want to know about exploring and how things usually run in a post, and the dos and don’s of exploring. So PM me

[SSD]

my cousin may have an extra i could have.

I don't think you will need that. If the department wants you to have a radio, I'm sure they will provide you with one (Plus, I don't know how the dept. would feel about explorers having their own 2-way radios - some departments regulate their use extensively while others are more lax and would allow this. Again this is all agency-specific).

How long is "probation" or whatever you want to call it before you get the unifrom? and about how long before you get to do ride alongs?-- and i have heard you have to pass a test on 10-codes to get to do them?

This, as wantsabadge mentioned, is also agency specific. Without delving into too far into our process, I will say that here at my dept. the probation period before you are issued a Class C uniform (the cheapest ones for us to supply) is one month of active attendance of meetings. After this point the issuance of the more expensive Class A/B and duty-gear takes anywhere from another month to four(or more).

To do ride-alongs, here you must have 60 "office hours" which is basically handling phones and dealing with walk-in traffic/assisting the jailing officer with live scans, etc. After which you must pass a test which tests your mastery of radio etiquette, penal codes, the road system, as well as many officer/explorer safety topics such as what your role is supposed to be in a variety of scenarios. There is much more that you must do before any ride-alongs here, but it would most likely be highly irrelavent to your post thus I will not take anymore time to explain it.

Again the information I provided is extremely agency-specific. If you have any other questions feel free to ask them here in this thread or via PM anytime.

[mpdexplorer]

My Post is doing very good money wise.. We currently make about $15,000 on a yearly basis and on some years it can be more than that .. So we require you not to purchase your own equipment.. We do however have to make sure you are a reliable person and will show up to most event except if you are sick or you have prior engagements... Also it sucks when we have people who lie and say they are busy..

[wantsabadge]

Also it sucks when we have people who lie and say they are busy..

oh +1 to that, i hate when they do that.

[nefto]

As several people have posted, the uniforms supplied and the ride out rules are all very agency specific. Dallas PD requires explorers to be 16 to ride out. They can join at 14 and take part in all of the other post functions. They also have an exam that they have to pass. They have to be a member in good standing of the post and they have to do the first couple ride outs with an advisor, who will certify them to ride out with other officers. BSA also has requirements for a certified ride out program. It's important to make sure their guidelines are part of your agencies policy, because if they aren't the BSA insurance won't cover any injury or damage that could occur on a rideout.

From my experience with the explorer program, I would suggest that your sponsoring department have a written explorer SOP. It helps a lot in defining exactly what roles the explorers are allowed to perform and also provides some protection for liability for the explorers and department.