Force is with teens

The police's Explorers program teaches law basics and discipline

STORY SUMMARY » | READ THE FULL STORY

Students from high school through college learn discipline as they explore a career in law enforcement through the Honolulu Police Department's Law Enforcement Explorers Program.

Whom to call Students ages 14 through 22 who are interested in the Honolulu Police Department's Law Enforcement Explorers Program can call the Juvenile Services Division at 529-3625.

As part of the 35-year-old outreach effort, the students learn everything from the Hawaii Revised Statutes to how to properly handcuff a suspect.

Students in the program said it not only keeps them busy, but teaches them discipline and teamwork, skills they can use no matter what career they choose.

---

---

FULL STORY »

Nadine Pilande sometimes receives bewildered looks from those asking why she is learning police work as an extracurricular activity.

"They don't understand why I'm in it," said the 16-year-old Farrington High School student. "They don't say anything. They're just like, 'Oh, OK, that's Nadine's thing.'"

It doesn't matter, she said, because she feels like the Honolulu Police Department's Law Enforcement Explorers Program teaches her valuable life skills like teamwork and discipline.

Now in its 35th year, the program has enlisted more than 60 active students across Honolulu, Pearl City and Kapolei. Police Lt. J. Pedro of the Juvenile Services Division said police hope to establish a program in Windward Oahu.

Students ages 14 through 22 can sign up for the program, which teaches many basic and advanced law enforcement techniques, from firearms safety training and handcuffing to writing police reports and basic city ordinances.

The students are also often seen doing volunteer work at city events like Honolulu City Lights and the mayor's Memorial Day service, helping with security and parking.

Officer Derek Yee, one of the advisers assigned to the program, said the Honolulu group holds about two meetings every month.

The students usually stay with the program until they graduate from high school. Though statistics have not been kept on their students' prospects, Pedro said, many pursue careers in criminal justice, and some join the Honolulu Police Department.

"Some have gone federal," Pedro said. "We have one adviser with the program who was an Explorer before."

Todd Higashino, a 15-year-old McKinley High School student, has been with the Law Enforcement Explorers for almost two years, and helps mentor younger students. His sister was in the program through high school.

He volunteered for the mayor's Memorial Day event two years ago and thought the Explorers would be a good way to keep him busy. Since then his interest in criminal justice has risen.

"I'm going to shoot for federal," he said.

Despite his bold goal, Higashino said the program has humbled him, teaching him how to work in high-stress situations like building searches and hostage negotiations.

Pilande was introduced to the Explorers after she took a junior paramedics course in first-aid training. She has been with the program since August.

"It helps me keep up with my schoolwork and responsibilities," she said.

Pedro said activities like the Explorers and the sports-related Police Activities League help students focus on their responsibilities, and less on drugs and crime.

"Studies have shown that as long as children are involved in any structured or organized activity, they have an almost 99 percent chance of staying drug-free," Pedro said. "Idle time is when you get into trouble."