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After acceptance into the Explorer Program, initial training for new Deputy Explorers takes place at one of the Sheriff's Department Explorer Academies. They are located at the Sheriff’s Training Academy and Regional Services Center (STARS) in Whittier, the College of the Canyons Valencia Campus in Santa Clarita, and the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station in Antelope Valley.
The Explorer Academy consists of approximately 184 hours of instruction during 18 weeks of training on Saturdays. Subjects such as community relations, criminal law, demeanor, firearms safety, narcotics control, police procedures and weaponless defense must be mastered. The trainees are required to undergo drill and physical training as well as their classroom work. Satisfactory completion of the Academy may earn the Deputy Explorer high school or college unit credits.
Academics
Academics
Academics are a major component of the explorer training academy. Each week, recruits are required to take a radio codes test and a spelling test.
Additionally, recruits are required to take copious notes during all lectures and presentations, that have to be neatly re-written in an outline format and submitted weekly in a cumulative notebook.
Each recruit is responsible for submitting a current event paper that covers any topic relating to law enforcement and a motivational “Word of the Week” definition each week.
Each of these assignments are graded and count toward the recruit’s overall grade point average (GPA).
Using their weekly notebooks as a study guide, recruits are required to take a mid-term and a final written examination, covering the various lectures that they have received.
A minimum GPA of 70% must be achieved and maintained throughout the explorer academy training program. Recruits are afforded the opportunity to make up tests that they miss, during their lunch period.
The training academy staff make themselves available to provide study and note taking tips to any recruit who is struggling with the academic portion of the academy program, during normal school hours on Saturday.
Recruits (and Parents/Guardians) are kept advised of their academic progress and grades by accessing the Recruit Progress Reports link on this website.
Each recruit is assigned a randomly selected and confidential student identification number, which allows them to access their grade and assignment list, from any computer. Grades are updated before the end of the day, on Saturday.
Additionally, recruits are required to take copious notes during all lectures and presentations, that have to be neatly re-written in an outline format and submitted weekly in a cumulative notebook.
Each recruit is responsible for submitting a current event paper that covers any topic relating to law enforcement and a motivational “Word of the Week” definition each week.
Each of these assignments are graded and count toward the recruit’s overall grade point average (GPA).
Using their weekly notebooks as a study guide, recruits are required to take a mid-term and a final written examination, covering the various lectures that they have received.
A minimum GPA of 70% must be achieved and maintained throughout the explorer academy training program. Recruits are afforded the opportunity to make up tests that they miss, during their lunch period.
The training academy staff make themselves available to provide study and note taking tips to any recruit who is struggling with the academic portion of the academy program, during normal school hours on Saturday.
Recruits (and Parents/Guardians) are kept advised of their academic progress and grades by accessing the Recruit Progress Reports link on this website.
Each recruit is assigned a randomly selected and confidential student identification number, which allows them to access their grade and assignment list, from any computer. Grades are updated before the end of the day, on Saturday.
Physical Training
Physical Training
Physical Training consists of approximately 25% of the explorer academy curriculum. Physical training is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing childhood obesity.
All recruits are required to participate in physical training, unless an illness or injury prevents them from doing so. The physical training component consists of stretching (flexibility), running (endurance), calisthenics, weight training (strengthening), obstacle courses (coordination) and defensive tactics exercises (self-confidence).
All recruits are required to participate in a minimum of two (2) of the scheduled three (3) PT 500 tests. The tests are given during the third week, at midterms and during finals.
Because each young adult comes to the explorer training academy with a variety of physical abilities, the PT 500 scores do not count as part of the overall grade point average (GPA). Rather, the staff monitors the test scores and looks for individual improvement from one test to the next. Recruits are weighed during the PT 500 tests, to monitor weight loss and assist in goal-setting.
Explorers also have the opportunity to participate in various exclusive Department-only events, runs, and mud-runs!
All recruits are required to participate in physical training, unless an illness or injury prevents them from doing so. The physical training component consists of stretching (flexibility), running (endurance), calisthenics, weight training (strengthening), obstacle courses (coordination) and defensive tactics exercises (self-confidence).
All recruits are required to participate in a minimum of two (2) of the scheduled three (3) PT 500 tests. The tests are given during the third week, at midterms and during finals.
Because each young adult comes to the explorer training academy with a variety of physical abilities, the PT 500 scores do not count as part of the overall grade point average (GPA). Rather, the staff monitors the test scores and looks for individual improvement from one test to the next. Recruits are weighed during the PT 500 tests, to monitor weight loss and assist in goal-setting.
Explorers also have the opportunity to participate in various exclusive Department-only events, runs, and mud-runs!
Defensive Tactics
Defensive Tactics
Defensive Tactics builds self-confidence and compliments the physical training component of the explorer training academy. Recruits are taught basic punching, striking, kicking and basic ground fighting techniques.
Recruits are issued protective grappling gloves prior to defensive tactics training classes and are closely supervised throughout the exercises to prevent injury and ensure proper technique.
The training does not include impact weapons, such as batons, because explorers are not permitted to carry weapons, and therefore the training would be unrealistic for them. Rather, each recruit is taught how to protect themselves against attack from another person by means of personal weapons (hands, feet, arms), confrontation avoidance, and awareness of their surroundings.
The feedback from graduating recruits, going back to explorer academy class 80, when defensive tactics was added to the curriculum, has been extremely favorable.
Recruits are issued protective grappling gloves prior to defensive tactics training classes and are closely supervised throughout the exercises to prevent injury and ensure proper technique.
The training does not include impact weapons, such as batons, because explorers are not permitted to carry weapons, and therefore the training would be unrealistic for them. Rather, each recruit is taught how to protect themselves against attack from another person by means of personal weapons (hands, feet, arms), confrontation avoidance, and awareness of their surroundings.
The feedback from graduating recruits, going back to explorer academy class 80, when defensive tactics was added to the curriculum, has been extremely favorable.
Drill Techniques
Drill Techniques
Drill is a means by which to move a group of individuals from one place to another, in an orderly fashion. Drill is also used as a tool to teach recruits impulse control, discipline and command presence.
Recruits learn basic drill, facing movements and marching from explorer training academy staff instructors.
Recruits learn basic drill, facing movements and marching from explorer training academy staff instructors.
Firearms & Less Lethal Weapons Safety
Firearms & Less Lethal Weapons Safety
Firearms Safety & Familiarization training has been a component of the explorer training academy for several decades. Recruits receive a once-in-a-lifetime firearms safety and familiarization lecture from the weapons training staff at the Sheriff’s Department range. The recruits are then allowed to fire a department-issued handgun and shotgun.
Recruits generally fire four (4) rounds from a handgun and two (2) rounds from a shotgun, at a stationary paper target. A member of the weapons training staff is always in close and direct supervision of each recruit on the firing line.
Recruits also get the opportunity to employ various types of less-lethal equipment currently in use, including 40mm Baton Launching weapons and riot/crowd dispersal options.
Although encouraged to participate, no recruit is mandated to fire any weapons system during firearms training.
Recruits generally fire four (4) rounds from a handgun and two (2) rounds from a shotgun, at a stationary paper target. A member of the weapons training staff is always in close and direct supervision of each recruit on the firing line.
Recruits also get the opportunity to employ various types of less-lethal equipment currently in use, including 40mm Baton Launching weapons and riot/crowd dispersal options.
Although encouraged to participate, no recruit is mandated to fire any weapons system during firearms training.
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