Explorers get close look at law enforcement

Teens interested in law enforcement can learn the realities of the sheriff's office through its Explorer Post.

Explorer Post 63 is holding a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the sheriff's office substation at 650-A Ronald Reagan Drive in Evans.

Columbia County sheriff's Deputy Sean Joiner, who heads up the program, said about 10 teens are members of the post.

"(They are mostly) kids who are interested in law enforcement, kids that are interested in and want to go into law enforcement as a career," Joiner said.

The post, which meets twice a month, is designed to introduce high school students to the fundamentals of law enforcement. The program allows them to observe the daily operations of the sheriff's office.

"They actually get to ride along and see what's going on out there and learn through that," Joiner said.

He said post members will learn about crime scene investigations, traffic procedures, report writing, handcuffing techniques, accident investigations, domestic violence training, hostage negotiation training and firearms training, among other topics.

"Just about anything that we do, they learn," Joiner said. The program will last through June.

Joiner said the program is open to those ages 15 to 20 and those who are 14 years old and have completed the eighth grade. The meeting is free, but Explorer post membership entails annual dues and some equipment costs.

For information, contact Joiner at (706) 541-2855 or sjoiner@columbiacountyso.org.