Explorers - NYPD

New York City Police Department

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Youth Programs
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Reform and Reinvention Collaborative
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NYPD Community Center
Build the Block Meeting

Youth Programs

LGBTQIA+ Outreach

Immigrant Outreach

Citizens Police Academy

Reform and Reinvention Collaborative

Clergy Liaisons

NYPD Community Center

Build the Block Meeting


Police Explorers

Become a Law Enforcement Explorer

The Law Enforcement Explorers program provides young men and women from the city's diverse communities with an introduction to a career in law enforcement or a related field in the criminal justice system. The program, geared for ages 14 to 20, often results in strengthening ties between the community and police. Explorers are taught the importance of higher education, self-discipline, and respect for diversity and human dignity through training, involvement in community service projects, and other Exploring events.

Youth Leadership: The Explorers elect their own officers and are promoted within a rank structure. They also plan and execute most of their activities, learning teamwork and leadership skills.

Positive Adult Role Models: The positive interaction of Explorers and law enforcement officers helps young adults see officers as fellow human beings, and allows greater opportunities to build positive relationships between the New York City Police Department and the city's diverse communities.

Five Exploring Experience Areas: An appreciation and commitment to the following areas are crucial to the development of all young people: Life Skills, Service Learning, Character Education, Leadership Experience, and Career.

Sign Up

Click here to request the Law Enforcement Explorer application or for more information about the program.

For additional information, please call the Community Affairs Bureau's Youth Strategies Division at (718) 312-4471.

Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz Memorial College Scholarship Fund

The NYPD has established a scholarship fund, through the generosity of the Police Foundation, in memory of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz. The $10,000 award will be presented to two Explorers in the amount of up to $5,000 each. The award will be used for tuition and/or school expenses at an accredited college or academic institution during the upcoming semester.

Download the scholarship application here.

Your application must be submitted by no later than Wednesday, June 26, 2019. Scholarship recipients will be notified by Monday, August 5, 2019.

Annual Competition

Nearly 2,500 young men and women from 50 states take part in the annual week-long Law Enforcement & Fire/EMS Explorers Conference to learn law enforcement and fire/EMS skills from some of the highest ranking law enforcement and fire/EMS officials in the country. The event includes competition-based learning and hands-on activities that promote personal growth, teamwork and development of adolescent youth.

The 2018 Law Enforcement Exploring Summer Academy registration is now closed. Enrollment was a great success. Thank you to everyone who showed interest and filled out an application.