Youth in the Albany Police Explorer Post get a real taste of law enforcement

By Carrie Petersen
Albany Democrat-Herald

Inside a Pacific Boulevard business that was closed for the day, Albany Police Explorers Tyler Fields and Dillon Fowler responded to a simulated burglary.

They first made sure the building was clear. Then they asked the “employee” what happened and if anything was stolen. They took pictures of the crime scene and collected a screw driver for evidence.

Albany Police Officers Rick Hawley and Jed Wilson, advisers to the explorers program, talked through the training scenario Monday evening with Field, 20, and Fowler, 19, and then set up the scene again for the next pair of explorers.

The Albany Police Explorer Post is a program of the Boy Scouts of America and is open to young men and women ages 16 to 20.

“It gives them a taste of what law enforcement is really about,” Officer Rick Hawley said.

The police department has space for 12 explorers. Currently there are eight: Fields, Fowler, Nick Bennett, Lara Burrows, Amanda Gordon, Adam Rivers, Brittany Weber and Max Wilber.

Hawley has been an adviser for the Albany post for about a year, and previously was an adviser in Medford. He and Sgt. Travis Giboney, who is stepping down after 11 years of advising the program, were both explorers when they were in high school.

Explorers get the opportunity to ride with officers, and learn police skills such as making arrests, investigating crimes and writing reports. They meet monthly for information sharing and training.

In August, explorers from Oregon and Washington will meet in Astoria for a Law Enforcement Challenge, where they will compete with one another and demonstrate their police skills.

Last year, members of the Albany post provided 1,490 hours of community service. They help at events such as River Rhythms, the Veterans Day Parade, public safety fairs, bicycle rodeos and the Mount Angel Octoberfest. They also assist with the police department’s vacation check service.

The police department pays for the advisers’ time, but explorers rely on donations to purchase uniforms and equipment.

Anyone interested in the Albany Police Explorer Post can call the police department at 917-7680. Applications for the program are available at the front desk. Information is also online at www.cityofalbany.net/police/volunteer.php.

How to help

What: All-you-can-eat pizza and mojos dinner, a fundraiser for the Albany Police Explorer Post.

When: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Where: Ciddici’s Pizza, 133 Fifth Ave. S.E.

Cost: $10 adults, $5 for children 6 to 12.

Also: If you can’t make the dinner, but want to give a financial donation to the explorers program, call the Albany Police Department at 917-7680 and ask for Sgt. Travis Giboney.