Policy Text
Policy
346Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentExplorer Program - 1Explorer Program
346.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to establish a guideline for the explorer program, its organization,
policies regarding use of the explorers and procedures for the designation and compensation of
its advisors.
346.2 POLICY
Garden Grove Police Department Explorer Post #1020 is an official program of the Garden Grove
Police Department and Boy Scouts of America. The Chief of Police or his designee shall be the
final authority on all matters pertaining to the operations of this explorer program.
The function of the Garden Grove police explorer program is to give young men and women an
opportunity to learn firsthand the duties and responsibilities of Garden Grove police officers and
law enforcement agencies. Members of this program are allowed to assist in certain duties of the
Garden Grove Police Department in order to obtain knowledge through experience. The program
will also serve as a “farm system” for the recruitment of future Garden Grove police officers.
Explorers shall be registered with the Boy Scouts of America. Explorers do not have any police
power or authority. Explorers shall not be classified as city employees for the City of Garden Grove;
therefore, they are not entitled to any compensation or benefits normally given to city employees.
346.3 PROGRAM ADVISORS
346.3.1 EXPLORER LIAISON SERGEANT
The Explorer Liaison Sergeant and managing Lieutenant shall be appointed by the Chief of Police.
The Liaison Sergeant reports to the assigned managing Lieutenant on all matters pertaining to the
explorer program. The Liaison Sergeant shall have functional supervision of the explorer program
and all personnel assigned to it.
346.3.2 SENIOR EXPLORER ADVISOR
Selection of the Senior Explorer Advisor shall be made by the Chief of Police, with input from the
Explorer Liaison Sergeant and the managing Lieutenant. The Senior Explorer Advisor shall report
to the Explorer Liaison Sergeant. The Senior Advisor shall be responsible for the daily operations
of the explorer program.
346.3.3 ASSOCIATE EXPLORER ADVISORS
The Associate Advisors shall be selected by the Explorer Liaison Sergeant, with the approval of
the Special Services Division Lieutenant. They shall report to the Senior Explorer Advisor on all
matters pertaining to the explorer program. The duties of the associate advisors are to supervise,
train and develop the explorers within the program.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Explorer Program
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentExplorer Program - 2346.4 EXPLORERS
Explorers are youth who range from 14 to 21 years of age. Explorers report directly to any explorer
advisor. When under the guidance or direction of any other Department personnel, they shall obey
any lawful direction or command given them, unless directed otherwise by an explorer advisor.
Explorers shall at all times follow all policies, procedures, and rules and regulations of the Garden
Grove Police Department and the Garden Grove Police Explorer Program.
346.4.1 DUTIES
In order to obtain a complete education in the field of law enforcement, explorers are scheduled
to work certain assignments and activities. These assignments are normally on the subjects of
traffic control, crowd control, crime prevention, and other duties specified by the police department.
Explorer activities, assignments and conduct are governed by Department policy and the Explorer
Orders Manual.
346.4.2 REQUESTS FOR USE AND EMERGENCY MOBILIZATION
Due to the nature of the Garden Grove Police Explorer Program, it sometimes becomes necessary
that explorers respond to calls for assistance by the police department. These calls may be to
search for a missing child or traffic and crowd control during minor and major disasters. For this
reason, the following procedure has been established in assisting the Department and explorer
post members with requests for use and calls for mobilization.
When requesting the use of explorers for routine functions, a “request for use” form must be
completed. These can be obtained from the Youth Services Unit or any explorer advisor. The
completed forms should then be turned into the Explorer Liaison Sergeant for approval and
assignment.
In the case of a serious emergency or event, the decision to mobilize the explorer post shall be
made by the on-duty field supervisor. The field supervisor will notify the Explorer Liaison Sergeant
or the Senior Advisor.
In the event of a mobilization during school hours, an advisor will call the individual school offices.
Explorers are to follow the instructions of school officials. Explorers shall not leave school without
permission
346.4.3 RIDE-ALONGS
Explorers shall follow the ride-along policy as covered in Chapter 4 of this manual, as well as
section 6.2.18 of the Explorer Orders Manual.
346.5 SUPERVISION OF EXPLORERS
In addition to the regular meetings and duties of the explorers, they often work various assignments
in the City assisting the Police Department and other organizations. On occasion, the explorers
also assist other police departments throughout the county. These assignments require the
explorers to perform different tasks such as traffic control, crowd control, crime prevention and
other duties. The Department requires Advisors to be present to supervise the explorers in
these functions. There should be a minimum of one advisor per every five explorers present
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Explorer Program
Copyright Lexipol, LLC