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407 Explorer Post Operations (Issued 05-15-2008)FRIDLEY POLICE DATE OF ISSUE NUMBER: GENERAL ORDER May 15, 2008 407 SUBJECT: REVISION DATE SECTION: Explorer Post Operations May 15, 2008 Green I. PURPOSE To provide guidelines for the operation Explorer Post #886. II. POLICY It is the policy of the Department to provide youth with a basic knowledge of the field of law enforcement and opportunities to engage in community service through the sponsorship and operation of a sanctioned Boy Scouts of America Law Enforcement Explorer Post. III. PROCEDURE All Explorers shall be responsible for knowing the contents of this General Order. A. MEMBERSHIP 1. Age: Membership of the post is limited to any person between the ages of 14 years (who have completed the 8th grade) to 21 years. 2. Formation: The total membership of the post shall not exceed 28 explorers after a three month probationary period has been completed by candidates. 3. Process: The explorer candidate must complete a background packet which will be reviewed by the lead advisor. The final decision to keep candidates on the post is up to the lead advisor. 4. Requirements: The explorer candidate must successfully complete a probationary period of three months. The explorer must demonstrate and maintain a “C” average while in High School or College. Confirmation of academic standing will be tracked by post advisors in conjunction with school progress reports supplied upon request by explorers. 5. Residence: Explorers do not need to live in the city of Fridley, but preference will be given to new members (if necessary) during the application process. B. ATTENDANCE 1. Requirements: Attendance at all meetings and events shall be tracked by advisors and reported to the lead advisor. If an explorer cannot attend a meeting, they shall make a reasonable effort to notify the lead advisor directly, or let another post member know of the absence. The post member or other advisor shall notify the lead advisor of the absence and the reason. It is strongly suggested that explorers attend half of the meetings and shoots each month. 2. Discipline: Any member who is unexcused from three consecutive meetings shall be subject to disciplinary action. This may include dismissal from the post. Any member who is unexcused for five meetings in a calendar year is subject to dismissal from the post. This post does recognize other life/ school/ work obligations, and keeping this in mind, the final decision for any discipline is left to the lead advisor. C. CHAIN OF COMMAND 1. Advisors: A Fridley Police Department Sergeant shall oversee the explorer post. The Sergeant shall designate a Fridley Police Officer as a lead advisor who maintains all functions of the post. The lead advisor shall designate other Fridley Police Officers as needed as advisors within the post. Associate advisors shall be designated as needed, and it is the preference of the Fridley Police Department to have these positions filled by prior post explorers (minimum age of 20 years). 2. Explorers: There shall be a post Captain, Lieutenant, and Sergeant’s as promotions within the ranks of explorers. All duties of any promoted explorer shall be as designated by any advisor or higher ranking explorer. D. CONDUCT 1. Security of Departmental Business: All members shall treat any and all business of the Police Department as confidential. Information obtained from any officers or contacts with the public, for training or otherwise, shall be treated as confidential. Any explorer releasing such information shall be subject to dismissal from the post and may also face criminal charges under Federal and State laws. 2. Insubordination: Failure or deliberate refusal of any member of the post to obey a lawful order given by a senior explorer, promoted explorer, or advisor shall be insubordination. Ridiculing the senior explorer, promoted explorer, or advisor or their orders is also insubordination. 3. Obedience to Laws and Regulations: Members shall observe and obey all laws and ordinances, all rules and regulations of the department, and all general or special orders of the department. 4. Discipline: a. Explorers who violate Federal, State, or local laws, Fridley Police Department policies, or explorer post general orders may be subject to discipline in the following order: 1) Verbal Warning (Documented in writing by advisor) 2) Written Warning 3) Suspension 4) Dismissal b. Any explorer may be dismissed at any time for conduct that is deemed a serious violation of any of the above noted laws without prior progressive disciplinary remedy. c. An explorer who has been dismissed from the post may appeal their removal as follows: (Explorers under eighteen, parents will be involved in the entire process). 1) Within ten days the explorer must submit a written request of appeal to the lead post advisor. 2) The lead post advisor and one other advisor will review the appeal. 3) The lead post advisor will then schedule a meeting with the explorer, and a parent if necessary, within ten days of receiving the written request. 4) The decision of the two advisors will be final and there is no appeal process beyond this hearing. 5. Fraternization: Explorers who have developed relationships with co-explorers shall avoid any intimate activities with the other explorer during any explorer event. There shall be no intimate relationships between any Advisor/Associate Advisors and Explorers within this post or any others. 6. Explorer Grooming Policy. Explorers shall abide by Fridley Police Department General Order 401 Clothing and Grooming Standards at any Explorer event. E. UNIFORMS 1. Issued: All Explorers will have one short sleeve shirt, patches, and one pair of pants issued to them. 2. Self Supplied: Explorers will provide their own handcuffs, flashlight, key rings and black boots. Explorers will not maintain knives, holsters, Redman guns, or any similar looking gear (or gun) on their belt or person. Advisors may provide Redman guns and holsters when necessary for training. 3. Post Property: All items issued shall remain the property of the post and the Fridley Police Department. It will be the responsibility of the explorer to notify the lead post advisor of any damage or loss of issued uniform items or post property. It will also be the responsibility of the explorer to turn in all uniforms when the explorer concludes their membership to the post. Uniforms must be turned in within two weeks of the explorer leaving the post. Any post property not returned as requested may result in criminal and/or civil penalties. F. RIDE-A-LONGS 1. General Rules: After an Explorer completes their three month probationary period, they are eligible to do a ride-a long (must be 16 years old). First rides must be with an advisor, any Officer willing to participate in the program is eligible after that. Any Explorer under 18 years old can only ride for 4 hours and not after curfew for that shift. No more than 2 rides per month are allowed (unless approved by the lead post advisor). Explorers should wear their uniforms during rides, and may have a flashlight. 2. Other Rules: Explorers must follow the rules set forth by the Officer they are riding with for that shift. Explorers are not allowed to interview/ interrogate any suspects or witnesses during the ride-a-long. Explorers may not carry handcuffs, batons, chemical sprays, or firearms during the ride-a-long. If Explorers are directing traffic, they must wear a reflective traffic vest day or night. G. SQUAD CARS 1. Basic Rules: Explorers can only drive marked squad cars during specific training events.