Police Explorer program making Kaua‘i comeback

LIHU‘E — After years of dormancy, the Kaua‘i Police Explorer program is making a comeback, and its civilian organizer thinks it can be a tool to encourage young Kauaians to consider joining the police force.

In his native California, Kevin Mince, a former California Highway Patrol officer, said one in seven of the 8,000 CHP officers were exposed to law-enforcement careers through the program.

Now with the Kaua‘i Community College rural development project, Mince, armed with federal grants, last week sought Kaua‘i Police Department and Kaua‘i Police Commission support for restarting the Explorer program.

The two-pronged approach he has funding for would include reactivation of the program through the Boy Scouts of America, for those ages 16 to 20 (male and female), as well as a 20-hour course for those interested in taking the written KPD entrance test.

Mince said 50 percent of those who take the KPD written test fail it. After taking the 20-hour course, 87 percent of those taking the course pass, he said.

He addressed members of the Kaua‘i Police Commission at the regular August meeting recently at the Historic County Building.

Once reactivated, the Kaua‘i Explorer Post would be one of 2,500 like posts across the country, with adult leaders and young participants working hand-in-hand with KPD leaders to learn law-enforcement basics, life skills, and much more, he said.

The two-year grant funds will be used to hire a coordinator, pay for uniforms for participants, and pay for the life-skills training, said Mince, adding that he has already made contact with local BSA officials.

He said his hope is that, after two years, someone in KPD can be assigned to take over the program.

Anyone interested can call him at 241-3365.

• Paul C. Curtis, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or pcurtis@kauaipubco.com.