Exploring law enforcement

Since the fourth grade, Vanessa McClure has wanted to be a detective or a spy. Eight years later, she’s ruled out the spy business, but law enforcement is still in the cards.

McClure, 17, is one of about a dozen young people who are part of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Explorers post.

Explorers, ages 14 to 20, learn about police work through hands-on experience. They help deputies with traffic control, fingerprinting children, assisting at crime scenes and handing out educational materials. They log hundreds of hours of community service.

“It’s fun. You learn a lot and help the community. We take a lot of pride in that,” said explorer Tim Powers, 16.

Recently, area Explorers were honored for their volunteer work at a national conference in Atlanta, Ga. Among the 5,000 explorers, the Snohomish County group won third place for its community service work.

McClure, Powers, Tanya Kaczka and Seth Kinney presented an exhibit about their involvement with Pro-Active Criminal Enforcement, in which they teach the community about the dangers of drinking and driving.

Earlier this year, the post refurbished an old bread truck, which the explorers take to malls, grocery stores and fairs to provide information about drunken driving.

“As an explorer, you really learn to talk to people,” said Kinney, 20.

Explorers attend several competitions a year in which they show off skills learned in the program.

Most who participate in the program have a strong interest in law enforcement as a career. Powers was hooked from the first meeting, where explorers did a mock traffic stop.

“I got to sit in a cop car and turn on the lights and sirens,” Powers said. “There was just something about it.”

The explorers must maintain a 2.0 grade point average (C average) and “not get into any trouble,” Sheriff Rick Bart said.

Along with the community service projects, the youths work through scenarios such as crime scene searches, bomb threat responses and traffic accident investigations.

The program is a great opportunity for young people to explore a career in law enforcement, Bart said.

“They also see other opportunities out there for them,” he said. “I think it gives a lot of the kids a sense of direction. We hear a lot of success stories.”

Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.

Michael V. Martina / The Herald

Vanessa McClure, 17, a Snohomish County sheriff’s Explorer and a senior at Arlington High School, entreats visitors to test their throwing skills at the Pro-Active Criminal Enforcement fast-pitch tent at the Evergreen State Fair on Friday.

Want to explore?

For more information about the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Explorer program, call 425-388-7185.

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