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407 Explorer Post Operations Revised 08-22-2016)FRIDLEY POLICE DATE OF ISSUE NUMBER: GENERAL ORDER May 15, 2008 407 SUBJECT: REVISION DATE SECTION: Explorer Post Operations August 22, 2016 Green I. PURPOSE To provide guidelines for the operation Explorer Post #3886. 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 Learning for Life 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 19 years, or upon graduation of high school, whichever happens first. 2. Formation: The total membership of the post shall not exceed 28 explorers. 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 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 should live in the City of Fridley, attend school in the City of Fridley, or be a member of a religious or civic institution within the City of Fridley. 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 75% of the meetings and shoots each year. 2. Discipline: Any member who is unexcused from three consecutive meetings shall be subject to dismissal. 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. 2. Explorers: There shall be a post Captain, Lieutenant, and Sergeants within the ranks of explorers. Positions within the rank structure of the post will be filled as needed. Assignment of explorers to specific ranks within the unit will be determined by the advisors. 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. Explorers shall report any contact with law enforcement to an advisor within twenty-four (24) hours. This does not apply to contact with law enforcement that is within the normal scope of an explorer’s employment or association with the explorer post. 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 or departmental policies without prior progressive disciplinary remedy. 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 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 long sleeve shirt, patches, one pair of pants, underbelt, duty belt, four (4) belt keepers, gun holster, one pair of handcuffs, and a handcuff case issued to them. 2. Self Supplied: Explorers will provide their own flashlight, key rings and black boots. Explorers will not maintain knives, Redman guns, or any similar looking gear (or gun) on their belt or person. Advisors may provide Redman guns 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: Explorers are allowed to participate in the ride-along program in accordance with General Order 419. 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 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.