As a student at Milton High seven years ago, William Parker Shaw was part of a criminal justice class that included an introduction to law enforcement. He also learned about programs at nearby police departments that offered teens training and insights. But that wasn’t an option in Milton.
Shaw approached the Milton police and suggested launching such a program. It took a year before the idea became a reality, but in 2016, he joined the first group of Explorers in his hometown’s police department.
“It was always the career I wanted,” he said.
In January, Shaw, 23, became a sworn officer in the department where he trained as a teen. He’s the first of the Milton Explorers to join the force.
“Not everybody who does Explorers wants to be in law enforcement,” he said. “But it teaches confidence and leadership, which is very important for any career.”
Chad West, Milton’s community outreach officer, said the program attracts students 14 to 20 years old who want to learn about careers in law enforcement and criminal justice. It began with about 25 participants and now averages between 10 and 15.
“A lot of them are just curious and interested in finding out what it’s all about,” said West. “This is an opportunity to learn about and train first-hand on police tactics. We meet every Wednesday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. year round and have particular topics they train on, like building clearing, traffic stops, burglary responses, medical emergencies or domestic violence intervention. Then they’re given a scenario and use the tactics we’ve taught them to work through it.”
West encourages students, even those who don’t live in Milton, to attend a meeting and observe what the Explorers do. If they want to sign on, they have an interview, fill out an application and begin on a probationary basis.
“They’re held accountable for being at meetings,” said West. “They might be attached to an officer to help out with events the city is hosting. They’re not getting paid, but they’re learning responsibility.”
They’re also not being recruited, said West.
“It’s awesome that Parker could come back and work here, but you never know,” he said. “I’ve had kids who became nurses and engineers. It’s just a great way to help the next generation have a better impact on society.
For Shaw, who graduated from the University of North Georgia’s public safety academy, joining the Milton force was his first job choice.
“This is the same city where I grew up seeing officers at football games and out driving around,” he said. “This is the same city that protected and helped me, and now I’m making an impact where I grew up.”
Information about the Milton Explorers program is online at miltonga.gov/government/police/community-programs/explorers-program.
SEND US YOUR STORIES. Each week we look at programs, projects and successful endeavors at area schools, from pre-K to grad school. To suggest a story, contact H.M. Cauley at hm_cauley@yahoo.com or 770-744-3042.
