Explorers & D.A.R.E. Programs

Explorers Program

The Law Enforcement Explorers program is for young men and women who are at least 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) and not yet 21 years old. The program is a division of the Boy Scouts of America, with each post being sponsored by a specific law enforcement agency. 

The goal of our explorer program is to provide the youth in our community with the opportunity to become more informed about law enforcement operations by providing in-depth learning experiences through both classroom and scenario-based exercises. These can range from building searches to high-risk traffic stops, to basic handcuffing techniques, and much more. 

Explorers have regular meetings, attend certain training, participate in ride-alongs with deputies on patrol, and assist with community events hosted by the sheriff’s office.

 Explorer programs are based upon five areas of emphasis:

• - Career opportunities
• - Life skills
• - Citizenship
• - Character education
• - Leadership experience

How to Apply

Contact Sergeant Scott Wright by emailing him at swright@franklincountywa.gov for additional information on how to apply.

For more information about Exploring, visit the Exploring website.

D.A.R.E. Program

D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives.

Detective Ramona Bolanos is our current D.A.R.E. Officer. Read about her experiences teaching the 2023 D.A.R.E. program below:

I successfully reintroduced the D.A.R.E. program to Basin City Elementary, Mesa Elementary, and Kahlotus School throughout the year of 2023. Each week, I conducted classes for a combined total of over 100 students across these schools.

This past academic year, I had the opportunity to educate sixth graders about the principles of D.A.R.E., mainly focusing on preparing them for their transition from elementary to junior high school. Over ten weeks, the program equipped these young individuals with essential knowledge and skills to resist potential involvement in gangs, abstain from drugs, and avoid violent behavior.

I fostered a safe and engaging environment in my classes for all students who participated. I encouraged students to openly discuss any issues they might have faced or observed, with a specific focus on avoiding drugs and alcohol. As a class, we focused on boosting self-esteem and developing constructive responses to peer pressure. 

As a detective in the sheriff's office, I take great pride in building a foundation of trust with my students, creating an environment where they feel at ease to discuss any challenges they might encounter. My strategy is rooted in honesty and the ability to relate to them, often drawing on my own personal experiences as a youth to connect and engage effectively with the students.

-Detective Ramona Bolanos

In Honor of Trooper Jim E. Saunders - Washington State Patrol

Bio & Incident Details

• Age: 31
• Tour: 9 years
• Badge Number: 1053
• Cause: Gunfire
• End of Watch: Thursday, October 7, 1999