By Courtney Hughey
Staff Writer
As soon as Costa juniors Sayeh Khan and Kelly Sass get dressed in their crisp police uniforms, they transform from high school students to community leaders.
Khan and Sass enrolled in the South Bay Regional Law Enforcement Explorer Academy at El Camino Junior College from Sept. 8 to Dec 1, 2012. The twelve-week training program included a strenuous physical training regiment and lectures starting at 6 a.m. every Saturday.
“I have always wanted to be a police officer,” Khan said. “I just really like helping people, and I’m taking advantage of the great opportunity I have to give back to the community.”
To qualify to be a Police Department Explorer, applicants must have at least a 2.0 grade point average, be enrolled in either high school or college, and be between the ages of 14 and 21. According to program leaders, applicants must be in good physical condition and have no criminal records in order to be eligible for the program.
“The Explorer Program gives you a chance to look into law enforcement programs and departments across California and see if that’s really what you want to do,” Khan said. “It is not a requirement for enrollment in the program to necessarily want to become a police officer in the future. However, it’s a great way to see what everyday life is like for police officers.”
Lectures in the Academy commonly include officer safety, search and seizure, arrest and criminal justice. Along with learning information about law enforcement, explorers are also trained to defend themselves and to handle firearms.
“The physical training is extremely challenging, especially for students who are not in good shape,” Sass said. “Although there were people in awful shape that dropped out, most people who weren’t in good shape made it through.”
The explorers start their Saturday mornings lined up in rows and columns while the sergeant is located in the center. This set-up is commonly known as “platoon formation.” In terms of dress code, both male and female explorers are required to wear white shirts, khaki pants and black running shoes. Girls have to have their hair in buns while boys’ hair has to be shaved.
“The Explorers Program resembles a military-style stress academy, where attendants constantly have to stand at attention,” Sass said. “The sergeants and officers in charge are constantly pushing you and are extremely strict.”
Both Khan and Sass are still Explorers and work at the Manhattan Beach Police Department every Saturday. Although shehas throughly enjoyed her experience as an Explorer, Khan plans to go to college before considering a career in law enforcement.
“I am so impressed by Sayeh’s determination and strength,” junior Vivian Nguyen said. “Her ability to dedicate herself to the Explorer Program is incredible. I hope to one day find a passion like Sayeh has.”
While there are several people enrolled in the Academy who want to pursue permanent careers as police officers, Sass doesn’t want to commit to being a law officer at such a young age.
“If I wanted to go into law enforcement, I would probably go into business first because that would help you with becoming a police chief,” Sass said.
Khan and Sass plan to consider pursuing law enforcement once they are finished with their college education.
“I really loved the Police Explorer Program I was involved in,” Sass said. “It was a great way to see what it takes to be an officer and law enforcer. I met a lot of incredible people.”
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