Denver Police Department · Youth Career Program · Ages 15 to 20
The Denver Police Explorers is the largest law enforcement Explorer post in Colorado. Real training, taught by real Denver police officers: recruit academy, scenario work, ride-alongs on live patrol shifts, and statewide competition.
What is Exploring
Exploring is advanced, co-educational, career-oriented scouting, operated by a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America and very different from traditional scouting.
The idea is simple: young people between 15 and 20 get to “explore” a real career so they can make educated decisions about their future. Each Explorer post focuses on a single career and is run by a host agency inside that career. One of the most popular careers to explore is law enforcement.
The Denver Police Department operates the largest law enforcement Explorer post in Colorado. Our goal isn't just to show you what a police career looks like. It's to actively prepare you for it. We take training seriously: every meeting is a training meeting.
And if law enforcement turns out not to be your path? The traits this program builds carry into any field. Many of our Explorers go on to become leaders wherever they land, and they are extremely successful.
Training Program
New members can join year-round and are expected to attend the next available Recruit Academy. After graduation, training never stops. Every Wednesday night, all year.
Once a year · 13 Wednesday nights · 6:00 to 10:00 PM
Every new Explorer starts here. The Recruit Academy lays the foundation for everything that follows: fundamental skills, knowledge, and attitudes. Graduation requires attendance at all sessions.
Every Wednesday · 6:00 to 10:00 PM · Denver Police Academy
Graduate training focuses on the specific tasks of a law enforcement officer, with a heavy emphasis on hands-on, practical work: a short classroom block, then live practical exercises that put it to use.
How scenario training works: Explorers act as police officers responding to a simulated event. Instructors coach and judge, while other instructors and volunteers play victims, witnesses, suspects, and bystanders. We make these events as realistic as we can without ever compromising safety.
Beyond Wednesday Nights
Law enforcement exists to serve. Explorers volunteer at special events: parking management, fingerprinting children for the Child Find program, DPD and Denver Sheriff academy graduations, and community fairs.
As an unfunded volunteer organization, we also run fundraising efforts, from candy sales to service projects for corporate sponsors.
Open to all ExplorersOur best training tool. Work a full shift with an on-duty patrol officer, responding to radio calls, making citizen contacts, and watching real police work happen first-hand.
Ride-along officers are specially trained to keep Explorers safe and act as instructors on police procedure.
Academy graduates · Age 16+The Denver Police Explorers are a proud member, and one of the operating agencies, of L.E.E.P.A.A.C., the Law Enforcement Explorer Post Advisors Association of Colorado.
Every summer, the regional conference puts Explorer teams head-to-head in at least five simulated events, with medals for the top five teams in each, plus specialized training seminars you won't find anywhere else.
Annual · Statewide
Straight from the field
Holiday toy drives, Child Find fingerprinting, academy graduations, community fairs: our Facebook page follows the Explorers through a year of service.
See more photos on FacebookPhoto Gallery
Real Explorers at real events: state competition wins, color guard details, and days spent serving the community. Tap any photo to enlarge it.
Who Can Join
The Denver Police Explorers admit members of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin, young men and young women alike. Every candidate must meet all of the following:
We understand that everyone makes mistakes. A minor transgression in your past will probably not cause you to fail the background investigation. Patterns of criminal behavior, poor behavior in general, dishonesty, or criminal associations will cause a rejection, as will serious criminal violations or recent or serious drug use.
But honesty is non-negotiable. Any applicant who falsifies any part of the application is automatically rejected, and omitting information counts as deliberate falsification. If you're uncertain whether to report an event, report it. The event may not be grounds for rejection. Failing to report it definitely will be.
How to Join
We accept applications year-round. Prefer to start with a recruit class? Email raymond.sheridan@denvergov.org to join the recruiting mailing list and get an invitation to our next Open House, where we present a full explanation and demonstration of how the program works.
Complete the application below (or the printable packet) with all supporting documentation and submit it to the Explorer Coordinator.
If your application is accepted for processing, you'll be invited to a Wednesday night meeting to see the program up close and learn what's expected of you.
Still interested? You'll sit for a scheduled panel interview, the final step of the application process.
Accepted applicants are notified by email, phone, or letter, and expected to show up at the next training meeting.
Attend Wednesday meetings and complete the next available Recruit Academy. Welcome to the team.
We're an unfunded volunteer organization, so membership dues cover the cost of operations. Dues are subject to change but have held steady for several years. We are not able to give refunds.
Uniforms and training equipment are issued by the program. Explorers purchase just two items themselves:
Local suppliers: Blue Star (6485 E. Hampden Ave, Denver) · Neves (5120 N. Osage St, Denver) · The Precinct (6350 Wadsworth Bypass, Arvada) · Online: galls.com, qmuniforms.com
Where We Train
2155 N. Akron Way
Denver, Colorado
Wednesdays · 6 to 10 PM
We're on the southwest end of the old Stapleton Airport property, one block north of Montview Blvd. at Central Park Blvd./Yosemite St. The gate entrance is on the north side of Akron Way, about a quarter block in.
Tap the map and turn-by-turn directions will open in your maps app.
Application for Membership
This is a legal document. Answer every question completely and truthfully. Any inaccuracy or omission is treated as intentional falsification and will result in dismissal from the program and possible criminal charges under Colorado Revised Statutes. If you're unsure whether to report something, report it.
Your application goes directly to the Explorer Coordinator. You'll be asked to show photo identification (proving your full name and date of birth) when your application is processed or at your first meeting.
Your application is on its way to the Explorer Coordinator. If it's accepted for processing, you'll be invited to visit a Wednesday night meeting, followed by a panel interview.