The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Explorer Academy is a 15-week program where young adults learn more about the sheriff’s department. The next academy will be held at STARS Center in Whittier starting Saturday, Sept. 7. The academy is held every Saturday. Once the recruit graduates, the recruit will be assigned to the CV Sheriff’s Station station.

In order to participate in the academy, the recruit must:

* Be between the ages of 14 and 19 years old

* Have a GPA of 2.0 or higher
* Have no serious criminal record/probation
* Must pass drug screening

* Must submit to a background check

The Explorers will be trained in laws, searching/handcuffing, writing reports, handling calls for service (domestic violence, family disturbance, felony traffic stops, active shooters, assaults, etc.

Once trained, they can go on “ride-a-longs” with full time deputies on patrol in La Cañada Flintridge or La Crescenta. As the Explorer gains experience, s/he will have the opportunity to go on ride-a-longs at other stations throughout the county.

The Crescenta Valley Station Explorers also assist with numerous community events such as the La Cañada Fiesta Days Parade, La Cañada Turkey Trot, National Night Out and our Haunted Jail.

Meetings are usually held every second and fourth Monday of each month excluding holidays, school commitments, family obligations, etc.

Over the years our Explorers have gone onto the Naval Academy, Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard. Several of our Explorers have graduated from the Sheriff’s Academy and become Los Angeles County deputies, San Diego County deputy sheriffs, Glendale police officers, and Los Angeles police officers.

Those who are between the ages of 14 and 19 and law enforcement interests them, contact the Explorer Coordinator Deputy Marcelo Ruiz at (818) 236-4026.