Exploring the law, Culpeper with CPD Culpeper Police Department (CPD)
Offi cers Jason Smith, Jason Dea, and Rob Hefner all started on the force from the same position: as graduates of the fi rst Culpeper Law Enforcement Explorers Program – aff ectionately called “explorers.” Chief of Reserve Offi cers at the time
Russel Lane created the program in the 1980s under the Boy Scouts of America’s Learning for Life program, which oversees the explorers program. T e program is separate from Culpeper County Sheriff ’s Offi ce (CCSO) Offi ce Cadet Program, but the two are similar. T e fi rst explorer group was outfi tted
with uniforms and educated on law enforcement by current offi cers serving as advisors. Lane’s wife, Kathy, said the fi rst uniforms were gathered from siſt ing through a police offi cer uniform reject pile. “Russell and Kathy had such a passion
and love for working with children that they made sure to set this program up for success when it was passed on,” said Lieutenant Brittany Jenkins, who leads the program
today. T ree decades running, explorers
continue to fi ll the roster – now with dedicated uniforms. T e uniform “also serves as a visual representation of their connection to us and each other,” Jenkins said. “Advisors or guest instructors teach the
explorers about what it means to be a police offi cer and a community servant,” through bimonthly meetings and community events,” she explained. T ey start the year-round program with
basic hands-on training, from ironing your uniform to radio usage and traffi c direction. With the foundations covered, explorers
can ride along with offi cers, “which gives them fi rsthand experience in how police offi cers conduct their job and interact with the public,” Jenkins said. T ey continue to learn how offi cers
respond to a call for service, manage mental health in law enforcement, and cover specialty topics. “I design the classes to put the explorers
as close to law enforcement as possible but within a controlled and safe environment. We nudge them out of their comfort zone and force them to practice using critical thinking to work through situations,” Jenkins said. T e explorers can even establish and
climb ranks in the program. T e program is open to kids
14-20-years-old who have completed up to eighth grade and maintain at least a C average in school. T ose interested just apply, clear a background investigation, and meet Jenkins “to discuss their expectations of the Explorer program and for me to explain my expectations for them,” she said. Jenkins fi rst learned about the program
around 2013 while she was a detective. T e program was run by her direct supervisor at the time Sergeant Jeff Dodson, who “always encouraged us to get involved in community engagement opportunities,” Jenkins said. “As detectives, we saw the worst of
society. T is was an opportunity for me to
honesSINCE 1976 ty, integrity & experience
(540) 825-6332
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36 | CULPEPER CHAMBER COMMUNITY GUIDE
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