About The Post

Pinellas Park Police Law Enforcement Explorer Post is a preeminent career orientation and experience program for young people contemplating a career in law enforcement or a related field in the criminal justice system. Our mission is to offer young adults a personal awareness of the criminal justice system through training, practical experiences, competition, and other activities. Law Enforcement Exploring is a division of the Boy Scouts of America Learning for Life Program. Additionally, the program promotes personal growth through character development, respect for the rule of law, physical fitness, good citizenship and patriotism.

Our post has been in operation since 1983. Founded by Retired Chief of Police Dorene Thomas, the post has seen many explorers come and go. However, the department has welcomed many former explorers with open hands. Ofc. Daniel Butterworth, Det. Cpl. Brian Fey, Cpl. Michael Linquist, Cpl. John Shea, Ofc. Patricia Fiedler, Ofc. Shaun Grantham, Det. Christopher Ryan, Sergeant Adam Geissenberger and Sergeant Brian Unmisig were all former Explorers. Officers’ D. Butterworth, B. Fey, M. Linquist, and J. Shea in fact were Explorers in Post 912.

Explorer Post #912 currently has 22 active members as of May 2014. There are 12 Post advisors, to include the Chief of Police, who oversees all the training, meetings, and interactions within the community with the Explorers. Post 912 is thankful for the City of Pinellas Park and the Pinellas Park Police Department for sponsoring and supporting the post.

Requirements

Age

All persons my be between the ages of 14 -17 years old to apply to the post. Once you are accepted to the Post, you can remain until you are 21 years of age.

Education

You must have completed the 8th grade and either be enrolled in high school or in possession of a high school diploma or its equivalent. During your tenure at the explorer post, you must maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average (GPA).

Application

Prior to being accepted to the explorer post, you must attend at least three (3) post meetings and complete all appropriate membership application forms. After the meetings, if the explorer post is still for you, you will have to successfully complete an oral board interview with your peers.

Character

You must be of good moral character, have no felony criminal convictions, and have a genuine compassion for helping others.

What Explorers Do?

Competition

We participate in multiple local and state competitions.

Florida State Competition

This year, Post #912 placed overall third place in State Competition, and placed top three in multiple law enforcement categories.

Service

We donate our time and volunteer many hours to support our agency and community

Community Service

Our explorer post volunteers hundreds of hours in community clean up events and support several non-profit events, like the Pinellas Park Holiday Parade, Holiday in the Park, and Bark in the Park.

Support

We provide support for various functions of the Pinellas Park Police Department.

Assistance When Needed

Throughout the year, the post assisted the police department with training and various other functions of the agency, including recent active shooter scenarios, SWAT Team / Hostage scenarios, and much more.

Training

We are students which learn through classroom and scenario training

Law Enforcement Training

The post receives training for preparation of competitions and a future in law enforcement. Topics include Traffic Stops, Traffic Crash Investigations, Defensive Tactics, and Firearms, to name a few.

Development

Police Exploring develops life long skills which follows them to adulthood.

Personal Development

Police Explorer develop Academic Skills, Self-Confidence, Ethics, Leadership Skills, and Citizenship Skills.

Meetings

Police Explorers are required to participate in weekly meetings.

Weekly Meetings

Explorers meet on a weekly basis. Explorers learn about different police functions, including: drug enforcement, crime scene investigation, CPR, traffic stops, traffic investigations.

Our Team

Post Structure

Pinellas Park Police Explorer Post #912 is composed of two Youth Services Detectives who supervise and organize the daily activities and function of the explorer post. The post has a Captain, Lieutenants, Sergeants, Corporals, and Explorers, which mimic the command structure of the police department.

Team Members

Detective Dimaculangan

Detective Dimaculangan has been serving the Pinellas Park Police Department since 2003.

Phone: 727-369-0864

Detective Tippett

Detective Tippett has been serving the Pinellas Park Police Department since 1999.

Phone: 727-369-7825

Captain Bohannan

Captain Bohannan has been with Pinellas Park Police Explorer Post 912 since 2010.