Evanston Police Department establishes a Police Explorer Post after almost 30 years.

On Wednesday January 10th, 2018 a group of 11 Evanston Township High School (ETHS) students arrived at the Evanston Police Department for their very first Evanston Police Explorer meeting.  They are the first group to be involved in such a program with the Evanston Police Department in almost 30 years.  The Explorer Program is a national program that allows high school and college aged youth an opportunity to learn about different careers through a long-term hands-on approach. The Explorer program was developed by the Boy Scouts of America and is offered through partnerships with different industries.

Relaunching the Police Explorer Program was an effort spearheaded by Officer Enjoli Daley.  After the proposal was approved a team of officers from different personal and professional backgrounds was tasked with recreating the program from scratch.  

Twelve ETHS students expressing interest in the Police Explorer Program applied and were accepted into the program. The Evanston Police Department Explorer Post will meet twice a month.  At the meetings Explorers will receive instruction and  participate in practical exercises related to law enforcement operations.  The post will be led by Sergeant Scott Sophier who was a Police Explorer with the Skokie Police Department during his high school years.  Officer Daley will act as the Post Chairman.  The committee is as follows:

Lead Post Advisor: Sergeant Scott Sophier

Associate Post Advisor: Detective Anna Ostap

Post Chairman: Officer Enjoli Daley

Committee Member: Detective Mikhail Geyer

Committee Member: Officer Will Arzuaga

The Police Explorer Program will be facilitated through of the Community Policing Unit. The Community Policing Unit is also responsible for the Officer and Gentlemen Program and the Citizens' Police Academy. The Evanston Police Department is excited for the future possibilities of working with Evanston's youth, while also making efforts to cultivate a future police department reflective of the Evanston community. 

The Police Explorer Committee and the Evanston Police Department would like to acknowledge and thank the Evanston Police and Fire Foundation for their assistance in funding this program.  Special thanks to the Boy Scouts of America, ETHS, and the Evanston Fire Department for their continued support and collaboration.

For more information about the Police Explorer Program please contact Officer Enjoli Daley at edaley@cityofevanston.org or Sergeant Scott Sophier at ssophier@cityofevanston.org.