Vergennes Police Department_Explorer Post 7219
It is my distinct pleasure to announce the Vergennes Police Department has formed an Explorer Post, Explorer Post 7219, in the City of Vergennes. The Vergennes Explorer Post is registered with the Boy Scouts of America, which has its headquarters in Waterbury, VT. The Explorer Program, which is an affiliate of the American Legion and Boy Scouts of America, is law enforcement based, and provides young men and women with the opportunity to experience law enforcement training to see if a career in law enforcement is for them. Explorers receive extensive training on law enforcement related skills, ranging from the history of law enforcement, drill and ceremony, and K9 operations to traffic control, security operations, radio communications, search and rescue operations, healthy life styles, physical fitness and nutrition. Members are required to attend monthly meetings, maintain educational, personal behavior and appearance standards. All members are required to wear a uniform and conform to the uniform standards of the group. The opportunity to mentor teenagers is a huge benefit of this program, and many of the department members will be tasked with providing training of some sort to the group. Explorers will be involved in traffic control, pedestrian assistance during the holiday season and special events, security missions and mentoring other youths. Other events will be incorporated in the activities to provide team building exercises, such as bowling, hiking and some overnight field trips. A week long summer Explorer Camp is also available, which is held at the Boy Scout Camp in Orwell, VT. Officer Rejean Lafleche is the officer in charge of the group, and he will conduct the monthly meetings. Meetings will be held at the Vergennes Fire Department classroom, and normally run from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Teenagers from the age of thirteen to eighteen years of age, from Vergennes and the surrounding communities, are invited to apply for membership. We ask that parents of kids who are interested in the program to attend the first meeting. For further information, please call Officer Lafleche at 802-877-1152.