The Ventura Police Department offers a Law Enforcement Explorer Program to educate and involve young men and women in the community in local police operations, interest them in the field of law enforcement, and help them building relationships with the police officers that serve their community!
The Ventura Police Explorer Program is designed to give community members aged 14-18, and still enrolled in high school, the opportunity to earn first-hand knowledge of the challenges, duties, complexities, and responsibilities of a police officer and to gain a better understanding of the law enforcement profession and local city government. The program gives young residents the opportunity to learn more about the Ventura Police Department while developing valuable career, leadership, social, and life skills found in serving their community.
What is Exploring?
All Exploring programs are based on the following five areas of emphasis:
Career Opportunities
Life Skills
Citizenship
Character Development
Leadership Experience
Explorers participate in:
Patrol Ride-Alongs
Traffic Control
Accident Investigations
Explorer Academy Preparation
Drug Awareness
Defensive Tactics
Station Operations
Specialized Details
Evidence Collection and Processing
Explorer Competitions
Marching and Physical Training
Community Service
Exposure to City Government
and much more!
Qualifications
To become a member of the Ventura Police Department Explorer Program, you MUST:
Be a graduate of the eighth grade and be between the ages of 14-18 years old.
Be enrolled in high school.
Live or attend school in the city of Ventura.
Maintain a minimum 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).
Maintain a good driving record - if applicable.
Pass a criminal background check.
Pass an applicant screening process.
Be of good moral character and not engage in the use of drugs or alcohol.
Have an interest in learning about law enforcement and in serving the community.
As a VPD Explorer, you will attend a three-week, 120-hour Academy designed exclusively for explorers. The course is usually scheduled during the summer. You will be permitted to fully participate in the Explorer program until the next academy is available.