Today, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, Police Chief Tina Goncalves and the Boy Scouts of America Narragansett Council announced the launch of a Police Explorers Program for local youth.

The Police Department is currently recruiting young men and women ages 14-20 from Pawtucket and the local area interested in public service and a future in law enforcement to apply to the yearlong program. Explorers will learn about police work, techniques and investigations, as well as get hands on experience assisting the Department.

“The Explorers Program is a worthy investment to connect our youth with meaningful career training and for them to gain a better understanding of our community policing efforts,” said Mayor Grebien.  “We hope that through the program we are also creating a diverse pipeline for future Pawtucket police officers.”

“Our community policing efforts have broadened and strengthened our relationships in the community,” said Chief Goncalves. “The Explorers program is another tool for us to connect with our youth, have them understand all of the facets of what we do, and involve them in our work.”

The Explorers Program will begin at the end of February and classes will be held weekly. The Police Department is holding an informational meeting on February 12, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. For the application and further details, please visit: http://www.pawtucketpolice.com/community/policeexplorers.html.

Boy Scouts of America promote and support police explorer programs in Rhode Island and throughout the country. Youth participating in the Pawtucket Police Department Explorers Program are not required to be boy scouts. 

The City and the Police Department present a check ($370.00) to the Boy Scouts of America Narragansett Council for their support services. The City and the Council allocated $10,000 to support the youth program.

From left: Mayor Donald R. Grebien, Police Chief Tina Goncalves, Will Simmons, Boy Scouts of America Narragansett Council, and Sergeant Kenneth Dolan.