Explorer Program Put on Hold

For teens who dreamed of someday wearing a badge, the Beverly Hills Police Department's Explorer program gave them a chance to sample life in law enforcement, but now the program's future is in jeopardy as budgets cuts have put it on hold.

"The 10-week training for the program was usually held on Saturdays, because it was ideal for students and our instructors," said Sgt. Michael Foxen, who runs the BHPD Explorer program. "But that meant overtime payments, which we cannot afford." 

According to rough estimates,  Foxen said it costs the department $50,000 a year to run the Explorer program. Much of that figure is attributed to overtime pay for police instructors.

"Explorer operations have been absorbed by the BHPD's operations budget, with no specific amount allotted annually, expressly for Explorer operations," Foxen said. "The city budget cuts meant we had to slash funds for this program."

The budget shortfall is so severe that the last Explorer class—which graduated about six months ago—has been unable to do ride-alongs as part of the program's daylong "patrol school" exercise.

"That entails 20 hours of overtime," Foxen explained.

To be eligible for the Explorer program, residents must be 14 to 19 years old,  have at least a 2.0 GPA, no physical handicaps and no criminal record. Selected Explorers attend sessions once a week for 10 weeks at the Los Angeles Police Academy in Westchester. They are trained in fitness, police procedure and law, marching and team work activities.

"It's not an easy training to go through," said Foxen. "It's 10-hour days for every Saturday for 10 weeks."

After completing their academy training, Explorers take part in various non-hazardous police tasks, such as crowd control during the Golden Globes and L.A. Marathon.

It's not all sweat and hard work though. Once a year, Explorers are taken on a weekend trip.

"In the past we have gone to San Diego to see aircraft carriers,"  Foxen said. "We have also been to the army camp in San Luis Obispo." 

Beverly Hills High School graduate Jin Soo Park spent four years as a Beverly Hills Explorer.

"This program opened up so many opportunities in [my] life," said Park, who joined because he was curious about law enforcement and was excited by the challenging program.

Park said his participation taught him several valuable lessons that he applies to life every day.

"I learned about the importance of integrity, citizenship of the community, respect toward others, confidence and awareness. And of course the importance of being like a family," said Park, who is headed to the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps after high school. "We all stuck together in the program. We made sure no one fell behind."