For some students at Shadow Ridge High School, working in law enforcement starts long before graduation, thanks to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Explorer Program. Open to young adults ages 16 to 21, this hands on program gives participants a close up look at the world of policing, leadership, and community service.
The LVMPD Explorer Program is part of a national initiative that allows teens and young adults to volunteer with law enforcement agencies while gaining valuable real world experience. Explorers learn alongside LVMPD officers, developing skills like communication, discipline, confidence, and teamwork, qualities that can make a huge difference no matter what career path they choose.
“So, I’m currently a captain over the patrol division,” said Casey Yant, an LVMPD Explorer and Shadow Ridge senior. “The Explorer Program is a volunteer position through LVMPD, giving people ages 16 to 21 the chance to learn firsthand about law enforcement. As an explorer, you do training like vehicle stops, person stops, building searches, downed officer sequences, active shooter drills, and much more.”
Participants are exposed to nearly every aspect of police work, from decision making under pressure to the importance of teamwork and professionalism. Beyond training exercises, Explorers play a big role in community service, volunteering at local events, fundraisers, and charity drives that help build stronger connections between their team and possibly their future colleagues.
The program’s goal isn’t only to prepare students for potential careers in law enforcement, it’s also about helping them grow into more responsible, confident citizens. Many graduates go on to become police officers, dispatchers, or serve in other public safety roles, while others take the leadership and life skills they’ve learned into completely different professions.
Yant continued, “We also assist the community with multiple service events each month and compete in skills competitions every year. We even get to do ride alongs with LVMPD officers to experience what policing is really like. For Shadow Ridge students interested in joining, LVMPD encourages reaching out through their website or visiting local area commands for more information. Applications are open year round, and the department hosts informational meetings several times a year.”
Whether students dream of wearing a badge one day or simply want to develop leadership and teamwork skills, the LVMPD Explorer Program offers a meaningful way to give back, grow personally, and experience what it truly means to protect and serve.
If one so wishes, they can buy all the years they spent in the explorers program once they get through the police academy. That means the moment they become a fully badged officer, they’ll already have about 5 years on the force, which is another 5 years closer to retirement.
