Interested in law enforcement? Lincoln Police Explorers program starting back up

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – For decades, the Lincoln Police Department’s Explorers program has given participants the chance to learn what it’s like to be a police officer.

And it’s about to start up for the school year.

Investigator Sara Prewett heard about the nationwide program explorers while she was still in the police academy.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate already had her teaching degree and figured the opportunity was a good fit.

“I thought this would be a great opportunity to continue teaching and, maybe not a direct school type of setting, but to be able to pass on what I do,” Prewett said.

Explorers learn every kind of law enforcement topic through classroom discussions and staged scenarios.

This includes anything from crime scene processing to responding to various calls, such as disturbance or domestic violence.

“We have people who are role players; they act out situations that officers would face,” Prewett said. “And sometimes we do replicate calls that we’ve had on the street, just so they can get that experience, learn how to talk to people, learn how to make their own choices.”

Lincoln Explorers also participate in competitions against other programs throughout the country in Topeka, Kansas.

“There’s usually about 15 events,” simulating things like traffic stops and crime scenes, Prewett said.

The program is open to students ages 14 to 20. Prewett said you do not have to be interested in a career in law enforcement to join.

“Even if you’re not interested in being a police officer, we teach a lot of things that could be relevant in whatever career choice you pick,” she said.

Explorer Linara Carlson joined when she was 17. She heard about the team while out at a community event, and once she attended her first meeting, she was hooked.

“As soon as I went there, I decided it’s something I wanted to be a part of,” she said.

Linara knew she wanted to be a first responder when she was 12, inspired by a neighbor who helped her brother when he was choking.

“I always knew that I wanted to be able to help people in that same way,” she said.

The Explorers will hold their first meeting of the year on Wednesday, Aug. 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. at LPD headquarters.