New graduates from Police Explorers Academy

A new group of  23 Police Explorers graduated in a special ceremony on Thursday, June 28, after completed the three-week of Miami-Dade Police Explorers Academy at Miami Dade Public Safety Training Institute.

The Miami Dade Police Explorer Academy has been going on for 20+ years. Was strictly for Miami- Dade Police Dept. Explorers until last year when they allowed for City of Doral Explorers to take part.

Upon completion of the academy, the Explorers received a certificate of completion along with an Explorer badge and are then permitted to “Ride-Along” with their assigned police Explorer advisors on their assigned shift.

 Approximately 200 people attended the graduation ceremony, including family members of the Explorers and members of the Miami-Dade Police Department and the Doral Police Department. The event was held at the Fire Tower building in Doral.

Police Explorer programs offer teens an overview of basic law enforcement, through their local outpost or district, and an experience that is similar to a police academy. The Miami-Dade Police Department Explorer Program accepts high school students ages 14 to 16 with a minimum 2.0 grade average. The academy starts on the first Monday after school lets out for the summer.

Throughout the 3 weeks, the Explorers learned dangers of drugs, firearm safety, issues with child exploitation, bulling, Mental illness, water safety and other law enforcement topics. They took turns on DUI simulators and  were constantly quizzed on police codes and law enforcement terminology and procedures.

Camila Gonzalez, Diego Gonzalez, Gabriela Gonzalez, Ysabella Martin, and Luccia Vega-Tortolero were the City of Doral Police Explorers who attended the academy this year.