Public Safety

Yakima Police Explorer Program Seeks New Members

Sunday, June 28, 2026

2 min read

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Yakima Police Explorer Post 275 is recruiting youth ages 15½ to 21 for its volunteer law enforcement training program. The program, sponsored by the Yakima Police Department and affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, offers hands-on experience with officers through traffic control, community events, and crime prevention activities.

Participants must complete a background check, pass a polygraph test, and attend weekly training meetings every Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Yakima Police Department. The department provides uniforms but requires explorers to purchase their own duty boots. The program includes a one-week state academy training each year, paid for by the department.

Alumni of the program have gone on to become police officers, dispatchers, and other law enforcement roles. Explorers earn community service hours for college applications and may qualify for exclusive scholarships. No prior law enforcement interest is required to join.

📄 Source: Police Department — https://yakimapolice.org/yakima-police-explorer-post-275/

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Yakima Police Explorer Post 275 is recruiting youth ages 15½ to 21“Requirements: Ages 15 1/2 – 21 years”
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Yakima Police Explorer Post 275 is recruiting youth for its volunteer law enforcement training program“Yakima Police Explorer Post 275 is a volunteer law enforcement training program for young adults.”
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Yakima Police Explorer Post 275 is sponsored by the Yakima Police Department“Yakima Police Explorer Post 275 is a volunteer law enforcement training program for young adults. The program is sponsored by YPD and affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America.”
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Yakima Police Explorer Post 275 is affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America“Yakima Police Explorer Post 275 is a volunteer law enforcement training program for young adults. The program is sponsored by YPD and affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America.”
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Yakima Police Explorer Post 275 offers hands-on experience with officers“Explorers perform traffic control at city events, appear at community functions, provide security for local groups, compete against other explorers from across the state/nation, and other crime prevention activities.”
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Yakima Police Explorer Post 275 offers hands-on experience with officers through traffic control“Explorers perform traffic control at city events, appear at community functions, provide security for local groups, compete against other explorers from across the state/nation, and other crime prevention activities.”
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Yakima Police Explorer Post 275 offers hands-on experience with officers through community events“Explorers perform traffic control at city events, appear at community functions, provide security for local groups, compete against other explorers from across the state/nation, and other crime prevention activities.”
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Yakima Police Explorer Post 275 offers hands-on experience with officers through crime prevention activities“Explorers perform traffic control at city events, appear at community functions, provide security for local groups, compete against other explorers from across the state/nation, and other crime prevention activities.”
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Participants must complete a background check“Background check – Exemplary personal background”
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Participants must pass a polygraph test“Pass a polygraph test”
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Participants must attend weekly training meetings every Thursday at 6 p.m.No usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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Participants must attend weekly training meetings at the Yakima Police Department“Come to one of the weekly meetings held each Thursday at 6:00 pm at the Yakima Police Department.”
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The Yakima Police Department provides uniforms“Uniforms and accessories are provided by the Department.”
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Explorers must purchase their own duty boots“Uniforms and accessories are provided by the Department. Each Explorer does purchase their own duty boots.”
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The program includes a one-week state academy training each year“One-week long state academy training per year (paid by the department)”
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The department pays for the one-week state academy training“One-week long state academy training per year (paid by the department)”
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Alumni of the program have gone on to become police officers“Alumni members of this award-winning organization have found positions in the Yakima Police Department and other Law Enforcement agencies as Police Officers, Reserve Police Officers, law enforcement dispatchers, and services personnel.”
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Alumni of the program have gone on to become dispatchers“Alumni members of this award-winning organization have found positions in the Yakima Police Department and other Law Enforcement agencies as Police Officers, Reserve Police Officers, law enforcement dispatchers, and services personnel.”
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Alumni of the program have gone on to become other law enforcement roles“Alumni members of this award-winning organization have found positions in the Yakima Police Department and other Law Enforcement agencies as Police Officers, Reserve Police Officers, law enforcement dispatchers, and services personnel.”
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Explorers earn community service hours for college applications“Explorers earn community service hours for college portfolios.”
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Explorers may qualify for exclusive scholarships“There are also scholarships that are only open to Explorers and you earn real-life Police experience through ride-alongs and training.”
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No prior law enforcement interest is required to join“Do I have to be interested in being a Police Officer to be an Explorer? No. Explorers is open to anyone who meets the qualifications and is a valuable experience for any career field.”