301950

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPECIAL ORDER Effective Date: February 8, 2025  Amends - SO 104.0 ( July 10, 2015 ) Number: 104.0 Distribution: All Community Services Personnel Review Month: August Reviewing Authority: SSD / Community Relations Subject: Explorer Program This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Definitions 3. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for Explorers in the performance of their volunteer duties. 2. Definitions A. Advisor – an approved agency member who assists with training, day to day operations of the Explorer Post and helps facilitate the program. Advisors are selected by the Senior Advisor. B. Explorer – individuals between the ages of fourteen (14) and twenty (20) who participate in the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program. C. Explorer Program - the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program is a volunteer youth program designed for young people interested in the law enforcement field. It allows an individual to learn about the many aspects of the criminal justice system. The areas of activities include civic service, recreational programs and training. D. Senior Advisor – an agency member , designated by the Community Relations Section Commander , who is responsible for the program’s administration and is the decision -making authority over the Explorer chain of command and the other advisors. 3. Procedures A. Duties 1. Explorer members are not sworn and have no law enforcement authority. At no time, and under no circumstances, will members identify themselves as a law enforcement officer or represent themselves in any context that might lead persons to believe that they have law enforcement authority. 2. The primary function of the Explorer Program is to assist the Sheriff’s Office through community service projects while learning about the many aspects 104.0, Page 2 of 5 of the criminal justice system. Explorer activities include civic service, recreational programs and training. B. Explorer Program 1. The Explorer program is a v ocational program sponsored by Scout ing America Learning for Life Corporation. 2. Explorer Post 2061 is charter ed by Scout ing America . C. Organization The Explorer Post 2061 is assigned to the Support Services Division , Community Relations Section . Regular meetings are held at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Operational Building. The meetings are held on the 1st, 3rd, and the 5th Mondays of the mont h. The Explorer Command Staff meeting is held prior to the scheduled meeting . D. Application Process Potential Explorers go through an applicat ion process to become a member of Explorer Post 2061 1. Applicants will fall under the Orange County Sheriff’s Office hiring guidelines. Applicants will not be accepted if convicted of any felony charge. The Senior Advisor and Supervisor shall review all offenses. 2. A criminal history and background check will be completed for each applicant to include Local, FCIC/NCIC, DAVID, fingerprinting and school, church and employer references. 3. Married persons or persons who have parental responsibilities will not be eligible to be a member of the Explorer Program. E. Requirements 1. The Explorer Post 2061 is comprised of individuals between the ages of fourteen (14) and twenty (20). A member must have completed the eighth grade, and mainta in a “C” average in school. Failure to maintain a “C” average will be reviewed by the Explorer Advisor and appropria te action will be taken. 2. All Explorers are required to attend every regular meeting and every mandatory event, unless excused by the Explorer Advisor or his/her designee. 3. Explorers are required to attend one fund -raiser and one community service detail per quarter (4 per year). 4. Failure to comply with the above will result in a disciplinary review. F. Rules and Regulations 1. Chain of Command is established for the efficient operation of the Post . 104.0, Page 3 of 5 a. Explorer Trainee b. Explorer c. Explorer Corpor al d. Explorer Sergeant e. Explorer Captain f. Explorer Major g. Explorer Advisor h. Explorer Senior Advisor G. Standards of Conduct 1. Members shall not engage in any conduct, which constitutes neglect of duty, conduct unbecoming of an Explorer, or any act, which is likely to adversely affect the discipline, good order or reputation of the Explorer Post and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. No member shall act in such a way as to discredit or embarrass the Orange County Sherif f’s Office or Explorer Post 2061. 2. Fraternization The Orange County Sheriff’s Office does not condone and will not permit fraternization between Explorers , and their Advisor or other affiliated adults. 3. Insubordination Members shall not commit any acts of insubordination to include but not limited to the following: a. Failure or deliberate refusal to obey a lawful order given by a superior officer, to include any law enforcement officer not involved in the Explorer program. b. Any disrespectful , abusive l anguage and/or action toward a superior officer. c. Use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco and illegal drugs are prohibited. H. Community Service Community service hours consist of time spent at details and special events. Community service does not include Explorer meetings or any training