Border Patrol Explorer Posts Get Law Enforcement Training

Tucson, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol hosted a seven-day academy at Pinal Air Park in Marana for 13 Border Patrol Explorers during the first week of August.

Explorers from Post #125, Nogales Station and Post #456, Douglas Station received training similar to that Border Patrol agents receive at the United States Border Patrol Academy. The training is designed to give young people information on Federal law enforcement careers and professions. It also provides interaction with others who share the same goals and interests. It develops self-discipline, patience, and encourages youth to make the most of educational opportunities. After completing the seven-day academy, graduates from Explorer Posts #125 and #456 received certificates from Nogales Station Patrol Agent in Charge Leslie Lawson for their successful completion of the Explorer Program.

The first Border Patrol Explorer Post was established in Laredo, Texas, in 1984. Since that time, the Border Patrol Explorer program has offered community youth, ages 14 to 20 years old, an opportunity to engage in law enforcement-related training and competitions. The Border Patrol Explorer Program has since grown to become the largest Law Enforcement Explorer Program in the United States with more than 700 Explorers and 40 active posts within California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, Michigan, North Dakota, and Montana.

The Border Patrol Explorer program offers community youth the opportunity to engage in law enforcement-related training and competition as well as participate in an organization that contributes to the betterment of the local community.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Border Patrol Explorers Graduate

Hebbronville and Zapata Station Explorer Posts Candidates Graduate

Hebbronville, Texas – On July 27, 2012, a formal ceremony was held in honor of local youth graduating from Border Patrol Explorer Posts #359 representing Hebbronville and post #9000 representing Zapata. The graduation was held at the Hebbronville Border Patrol Station. A total of ten students were recognized after successfully completing an aggressive three-week law enforcement explorer academy. The academy is a first ever for both the Hebbronville and Zapata Stations. Young men and women from the community were tested by a rigorous academic, field, and physical curriculum, providing them a taste of how federal agents are trained and held to high standards. 

Explorer Advisors, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Maria Rivera and Border Patrol Agents Tracy Anderson, Jason Wells, Gilbert Munoz, Miguel Lopez, Ruth Hernandez, Jesse Sanchez, William Torres, Roberto Lopez, and Jose Garza, enhanced program experiences by extending not only Border Patrol expertise to activities and curriculum, but supplemented them with parents, the community, and various federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The Jim Hogg County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers, Drug Enforcement Agency and Immigration and Customs Enforcement were all active participants in the program. They taught teaching academy segments highlighting the strength and intersection of community and law enforcement coming together in partnership to strengthen local youth.

In a keynote speech, Hebbronville Acting Deputy Patrol Agent in Charge Juan “Vinny” Barberena, a former Border Patrol Explorer himself, spoke about the benefits of being an explorer that includes career opportunity, leadership, life skills, citizenship and character development. The academy graduation was led by the Laredo Sector Honor Guard, with the badge pinning by Laredo Sector Acting Division Chief Darren Matthews, Hebbronville Patrol Agent In Charge Dion Ethell, and Zapata Acting Deputy Patrol Agent In Charge Adrian Reyes.

The graduates were Josephine Arredondo, Abran Gomez, Alan Gomez, Florencia Gonzalez, Jorge Gutierrez, Leandro Hinojosa, Alyssa Martinez, Candice Medellin, Vanessa Perez, Jesus Resendez, Monique Singleterry, and Mario Solis.

A flag retirement ceremony with the local Hebbronville American Legion Post completed the day’s events honoring the proud traditions of the U.S. Border Patrol and their motto, “Honor First!”

To report suspicious activity such as drug and/or alien smuggling, contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol at toll free telephone number at (800)-343-1994.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

U.S. Border Patrol to Host First Law Enforcement Explorer Program in Maine

Houlton, Maine — The Customs and Border Protection U.S. Border Patrol, Fort Fairfield Station, has established a CBP Law Enforcement Explorer Program in Maine where agents will mentor and prepare young adults for future careers in leadership and law enforcement. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents between the ages of 14 and 21, who are currently enrolled in either high school or college, should act now as there are a limited number of vacancies in the program.

The Law Enforcement Explorer Program is a Boy Scouts of America Learning for Life program in partnership with professional organizations to prepare young adults for certain professions, such as careers in law enforcement.

The hands-on program promotes self-confidence, responsibility, leadership and citizenship qualities to participants by modeling positive relationships between law enforcement and communities. Leading by example, CBP border patrol agents will assist law enforcement explorers in performing a wide variety of activities and community service projects throughout Maine.

Individuals interested in exploring a law enforcement career, promoting character development and acquiring skills in such areas as management, supervision, instruction, public speaking and community relations, are encouraged to contact Supervisory Border Patrol Agent John Krause at (207) 472-5041 or the Houlton Sector Public Affairs Office at (207) 532-6521 before July 13.

For more information on the CBP Law Enforcement Explorer Program, please visit the CBP web site.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Brownsville Hosts First Joint CBP Explorer Academy

Brownsville, Texas - Starting on June 18, for two weeks, the Brownsville Port of Entry and the Fort Brown and Brownsville Border Patrol Stations hosted a two-week academy for 51 new Explorer cadets. This was the first time that a joint Federal Explorer academy training has been held in Brownsville. The training was conducted as a joint operation between CBP Field Operations and Border Patrol, and was also the first time the Brownsville Port of Entry has had an active Explorer Post since 2002. The cadets were trained in numerous law enforcement scenarios that are based on actual training received by CBP officers and agents. There were physical training requirements such as a 1.5-mile run that had to be completed within 15 minutes, push-ups and sit-ups all designed to test the cadets' physical endurance and abilities.

There also was a classroom component in which the cadets were introduced to criminal and immigration law, laws governing commercial fraud, use of force, officer safety and survival, the history of CBP and the agencies that came together to form it. Of the 51 cadets that started the academy, 43 will successfully complete the training, receive a CBP Explorer badge and will then be welcomed into the U.S. Customs and Border Protection family and their respective Explorer Post. Explorer Posts are guided by a team of CBP officers and Border Patrol agents who collectively mentor these young men and women.

“Some of our present officers and agents are former explorers; this program allows us to mentor young people while giving them the opportunity to experience what a career in law enforcement has to offer. I congratulate our new explorers and thank all of the officers and agents who volunteer their time to this tremendous program,” said Eugenio Garza Jr., Director, Field Operations, Laredo Field Office. 

“The Explorer program serves as a stepping stone for those wishing to pursue a career in law enforcement. It provides young people with a valuable opportunity to learn about law enforcement careers firsthand, while at the same time building their character and leadership abilities,” Chief Patrol Agent Rosendo Hinojosa said. “Ultimately it can help them achieve their full potential in life. Congratulations to the new Explorers and thank you to all those devoting their efforts to make this program a success.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.