EXPLORING OPTIONS AND POTENTIAL

Teens learn the duties of police officers _ and even are trained to direct traffic and help control crowds at athletic events.

DETAILS

Call the Indianapolis Police Explorer Post 435 at (317) 898- 2394, or write 901 North Post Road, Indianapolis, Ind. 46239

Every Wednesday night, police officers spend two hours lecturing about 20 Indianapolis teens.

That's because they're part of Boy Scout Explorer Post 435. The program, sponsored by the Indianapolis Police Department, gives 14- to 18-year-olds a firsthand look and hands-on experience at the work of a police officer.

Explorers receive 50 hours of police training at the IPD training academy on Post Road on the city's Eastside. After they graduate from the program, the Explorers are certified in traffic direction, first aid, radio procedures and other crowd-control activities.

"They work different details with volunteer police officers, at Colts' and Pacers' games and anywhere there's going to be a crowd," said Bill Carter, assistant adviser to the program, police officer and a volunteer.

No arrest powers

The Explorers don't have arrest powers and aren't able to write traffic tickets, drive police vehicles or make traffic stops. They do wear police uniforms, but they have light-blue shirts rather than the dark blue worn by sworn officers.

The training not only helps the Explorers decide if police work is for them, but it gives them the discipline needed for the job.

"This gives us a better idea of what to do and what not to do," said 15-year-old Jeremy Fox. "It gives us insight on what it's like to be out on the street, and how you need to keep real morals and values.

"You need to stay clean and all that good stuff to become a police officer, and this begins to teach us that you have to stay cool and not get into any of the bad stuff out on the street."

Carter, who was an Explorer for 2 1/2 years, agreed that the training prepares you for the discipline of police work.

"I think the kids realize once they get in Explorers, everything they do in life, they'll have to (answer) for if they're going to be a police officer," he said.

9 became police officers

The post was founded in the early '70s, and nine Explorers have gone on to become police officers.

Explorer training used to be offered only once a year, but new recruits are accepted year-round now. They can take make-up classes to keep pace with the other Explorers.

Open to boys and girls ages 14 to 18, Explorers have no height or weight restrictions and must have a C average in high school.

The post used to be funded by the police department, but it lost its funding under the new administration. The Explorers hold fund-raisers for uniforms and equipment, and they accept donations for providing traffic control under some circumstances.

Each year, the Explorer post goes to the national Law Enforcement Conference sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America. In addition to competing with other posts in such events as traffic control, the Explorers attend seminars by such organizations as the FBI and Secret Service.

Explorers agree their training is a good test for any potential police officer.

"It gives a real good insight and idea of whether or not law enforcement is your objective, whether or not that's what you want to do in life," said Kevin Wethington, 17.

"We've lost a couple of people because of rules and regulations. They say the police department has too many rules and regulations, that that just isn't their idea of what they want to do."