Southampton Town Police offers a program known as The Southampton Town Police explorers, for students through the ages of 14 to 20. This program offers anything from drills to field trips to learning in the classroom for participants. This program was started to show teenagers what it is like working as a part of law enforcement.

After exploring the idea of starting an explorers program here on the East End,Lieutenant Ralph and Sergeant Bennett started one in September 2014. When asked about how the idea of an explorers program started here, Lieutenant Ralph replied, “It’s actually been in existence in Suffolk County Police Department, Nassau Police Department, and New York City Police Department and Sergeant Bennett and I decided to bring it to the East End.”

What makes this program so interesting, according to Lieutenant Ralph, is “watching [the participants] experience law enforcement from the inner circle, because you are the future of law enforcement.”

One participant, Ashley Simons from East Hampton, said she wanted to join the program because, “ I’ve always been interested in law enforcement. With all the issues going on with officers (how they are now, stereotypically, ‘racist’) and the community, it is especially important to understand what officers have to go through every day. It’s all about perspective; you need to understand both sides.”

She continued, “I wanted to get hands on experience with what they do, and we are also given many opportunities to improve leadership and social skills with other students who also have the same interest.”

Students interested in the Police Explorers program can join by receiving an application.   After, go through an interview process (Explorers are a part of the interview committee). It is very simple and tons of fun!