Congratulations to three Midlands students for their successful participation in the Columbia Police Department’s (CPD) law enforcement preparatory classes called the Explorer Program.
Police Chief W.H. ‘Skip’ Holbrook congratulated the graduates, Aiden Knotts, Esmeralda Hernandez-Esquivel and Aniyah Peak and presented them with Certificates of Commendation for the 2021-2022 Police Explorer Post 700. Hernandez-Esquivel was promoted to Explorer First Class as a token of her hard work and dedication during the program.
The Explorer Post 700 is a career-oriented program for youth between 14 – 20 years old with law enforcement aspirations. The Explorer Program provides participants with first-hand, real-world experiences in a controlled environment and teaches them leadership skills, mental discipline, team-building, and physical fitness to better prepare them to become a police officer and work in the criminal justice field.
Chief Holbrook says, “I am very proud of the young adults who choose to be a part of the CPD family in the Explorer Program. Recruiting them at a young age teaches them valuable skills: how to be a responsible citizen, how to interact with the community, how to be a community helper, and how police officers foster positive relationships with the community.”
Several CPD officers who were a part of the initial Explorer Program were ultimately hired by CPD. They worked hard and were promoted through the ranks to become a part of the Command Staff to include Deputy Chief Melron Kelly and Lt. Eric Murphy (Watch Commander).
The CPD Explorer Program is a fully chartered member of the Boy Scouts of America. Serving as one of its many youth branches, the Explorer Program enjoys all the benefits and rights as a Boy Scouts of America member.
For more information about the CPD Explorer Program including criteria to join, visit:
https://columbiapd.net/explorer-program/