Serving as one of the lead officers for the Explorers program with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office (SRSO), Dewayne Madden is enthusiastic following the program’s recent first meeting.
“I’m looking forward to it, I am super excited,” Madden said. “Once the program gets started, I foresee more kids wanting to get involved.”
On Tuesday, SRSO invited interested teenagers and their parents to the meeting for the program, which educates young men and women into how law enforcement operates.
Public Information Officer Rich Aloy said the program stopped operating nearly five years ago due to lack of participation and the number of deputies needed to volunteer.
Madden, who also serves as the school resource officer for Milton High School, said the program could benefit the Sheriff’s office in the future.
“We always need good law enforcement officers,” Madden said. “If we can get the ball rolling and get people interested in it, it could also be a good recruiting tool for the Sheriff’s office as well.”
Becoming a police officer is exactly what Milton resident Nicholas Davis, 17, wants to do for a career.
“I’m planning to become a sheriff’s deputy. I just want to be a helping part of the community,” Davis said. “I hope to receive the knowledge of how to be an officer.”
While Davis plans for a career in law enforcement, others want to explore the different aspects of being a police officer.
“Just because you are in the program, does not mean you have to be in law enforcement,” Madden said. “It also helps a kid understand what law enforcement is about.”
In the program, explorers will learn about the different responsibilities of the sheriff’s office like performing a traffic stop or learning more about the K-9 unit.
The next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Dec. 9 at the Sheriff’s Office Administration Building at 5755 East Milton Road.
For additional information contact Deputy Madden at 983-5600 extension 103.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: SRSO revives Explorers program