Frequently Asked Questions

Exploring is a program, run by the police department, chartered by Learning for Life, a subsidiary of the Boys Scouts of America. Exploring provides vocational training and experience to young people, ages 14-20. You must have a desire to learn about law enforcement. Exploring provides an opportunity for young people to be involved in something positive, to receive training and experience in law enforcement and to learn the value of service to their community. It also allows those involved to get an inside look at how a police department functions. 

Police Explorers work hand in hand with sworn officers and non-sworn department personnel in a variety of ways. Listed below are just a few:

• Fingerprinting of adult and juvenile offenders
• Crowd control at parades and other community events
• Assist patrol officers during ride-alongs
• Special enforcement details, such as alcohol decoy operations and surveillance
• Participate in training exercises with police officers
• Records and clerical support
• Support of special department projects such as events and Hanford Night Out
• Provide color guard services at community events, retirement ceremonies and parades
• Hanford Mall holiday security detail
• Training, competitions and conferences with other agencies

All young people, from age 14 to 20 are eligible to apply to the Post. All applicants must pass a thorough background investigation and oral interview process. These are the application requirements.

1. Applicants must be free of any recent criminal history. Applicants cannot be on formal or informal probation or parole.
2. Applicants cannot be a part of or associated with any gang.
3. Applicants must be attending school, if required by law to do so. This would include home instruction, home study, independent study or other state approved educational program. Applicants cannot have been expelled or be awaiting expulsion from their last school.
4. Applicants must have a minimum 2.0 grade point average. Going below a 2.0 average will result in an academic suspension from all Explorer activities.
5. Applicants must be free from violations of school rules or policies. This would include truancy, defiance or disrespect to school officials, lying, cheating or any offense that could have or did result in a criminal investigation and or charges being filed.
6. Applicants must be willing to provide at least 4 hours of volunteer service time each month. Applicants must attend at least one scheduled meetings and/or training session each month.
7. Applicants must be willing to purchase, wear and maintain the prescribed uniform. The approximate cost is $125.00. The Post may be able to assist those applicants who need financial assistance with the cost of their uniforms if needed.
8. Applicants must be willing to submit to a thorough background investigation. This includes checking with the applicant's teachers, school officials, neighbors, employers and references. Applicants must provide the names, addresses and phone numbers of those people they list as references.
9. Applicants must completely and correctly fill out the "Personal History Form" and any other needed questionnaires provided by the department. Any willful attempt to conceal or misrepresent any information will be considered cause to terminate the application process.
10. Those applicants who pass the background investigation must then undergo an oral interview. The interview is designed to determine the qualities and characteristics of the applicant, to judge the applicants personal appearance, communications skills and critical thinking ability. The oral interview is rated 100% pass/fail. It should be understood that not all applicants who make it to the interview stage will be offered a position with the Post.
11. Those applicants who successfully complete the interview may then be offered a position within the Post.
12. The application process can take anywhere from several days to several weeks.

It should be understood that the chief of police reserves the right to admit or to deny any application to the Post based on facts learned during the background investigation and the oral interview process. In short, not everyone who applies to the Post and passes the background investigation and the interview is accepted to the Post.

• Anyone with an interest in law enforcement! 
• Anyone who has a desire to serve his or her community!
• Anyone who wants to challenge himself or herself and broaden their knowledge! 
• Anyone who wants to get a good head start on his or her career! 
• Anyone who would enjoy being part of a team that works to better themselves and the community!

The Hanford Police Explorer Post is not a program for "at risk youth." An applicant cannot have any arrests and/or convictions for felonies or serious misdemeanors (i.e., domestic violence). A member must be able to work independently and with other explorers, explorer supervisors and police officers. The public will hold them to the same standard as police officers and they must be able to conduct themselves in a similar manner. An applicant must be reasonably physically fit and able to stand for long periods and work in various weather conditions.

You can contact the Hanford Police Department and request to speak to an explorer adviser at 559-585-2540.