Jefferson County Sheriff Pete Dougherty has announced the creation of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 245.

In an effort to provide Law Enforcement education and career development to the youth of Jefferson County, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff Reserves, will launch Explorer Post 245.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post is a volunteer organization through which young people, 14-21 years of age, are trained in many aspects of law enforcement. The program is chartered as a law enforcement Explorer Post with the Boy Scouts of America. The goals of the Explorer Post are to train young women and men for a possible future in law enforcement and to provide quality candidates for police cadets, community service officers, police officers and other law enforcement related positions within the community.

A structured program with the Explorers has been established to promote responsibility. Expectations instilled in Explorer members are high morals, an acceptable grade point average, good judgment and active community involvement. All Explorer training will be done in accordance to the standards of the Eastern Panhandle Deputy Sheriff Reserve Academy Program created in 2012.

The entire curriculum established by the Eastern Panhandle Deputy Sheriff Reserve Academy is Nationally Accredited through Blue Ridge Community Technical College. The Academy Cadre continually works with Blue Ridge CTC staff to expand the program. Thus allowing Reserve Deputies, and now Explorers in Jefferson County, to earn college credits. The Academy is overseen by Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Certified Instructors.

Young adults between the ages of 14 and 21 interested in the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 245, are invited to an informational meeting on Tuesday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (102 Industrial Blvd, Suite 100, Kearneysville). For more information, contact the Sheriff’s Office at 304-728-3205 or email info@jcdsr.org.