In late 2005, the Murphy Police Department joined the ranks of law enforcement agencies across the nation by establishing a Law Enforcement Explorer Post, through the Boys Scouts of America. Law Enforcement Exploring is a program designed for teens and young adults who think they may have an interest in pursuing law enforcement as a career opportunity. Participating members are issued uniforms and are required to undergo various levels of training, both in the classroom and in the field so that they might gain some insight into what is required of law enforcement officers today.
Post 2005, the Murphy Police Explorers, quickly came of age and showed their abilities when they were awarded a total of thirteen (13) trophies at an annual Law Enforcement Explorer competition held each year in Richardson, just a few short months after the group’s inception. Members of the group, who underwent exhaustive training to prepare for the event, are also offered opportunities to attend additional training and compete in other competitions throughout the state and around the country, when funds are available.
To that end, In October 2006 the BSA announced plans for the 2007 National Law Enforcement Exploring Leadership Academies. The focus of these academies will be on leadership and will deal specifically with the dynamics of leadership, motivating others and effective law enforcement leadership. Candidates for selection are required to complete an application packet and an essay of no fewer than 500 words entitled “What Law Enforcement Exploring Has Meant to Me.” Each application and the accompanying essays are then reviewed by a selection process using law enforcement executives, composed of members of the National Law Enforcement Exploring Committee.
Sgt. Tim Dorsey, an Explorer Advisor for the Murphy Post said that “Selection for attendance of one of the four scheduled academy classes to be held during the 2007 calendar year is a very unique and prestigious opportunity for these young people. Successful completion of the academy will surely serve to benefit any graduate who later goes forward to pursue a law enforcement career.”
There are a total of 120 Law Enforcement Explorers being selected from across the nation, thirty (30) for each class. Michael Palko, a Captain with the Murphy Police Explorer Post applied and has been selected to attend one of the academy classes. These classes, each one week in length, are being offered in conjunction with The Federal Bureau of Investigation from June 30-July 7, 2007 in Washington, D.C.; The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration from July 7-14, 2007 in Washington, D.C.; The United States Marshals Service from July 14-21, 2007 in Washington, D.C. and The U.S. Army Military Police from July 14-21, 2007 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. While Palko will be allowed to request a particular class, selection will ultimately be made by the Exploring Committee.
Murphy’s Police Chief, Billy R. Myrick, said that we are very proud of Captain Palko for his success in being selected to attend one of these classes. Captain Palko continually goes above and beyond to assist the department in any way possible and has been previously recognized by the department for his contributions and efforts. We began this Post with a promise to our “kids” that if they did choose to pursue a law enforcement career, we would make every effort to send them to the Police Academy and offering them a home to begin their new found career. We look forward to Captain Palko meeting the required age limit so we can do just that. The department is proud of him and what he has achieved and we want to keep him as a part of our police family. If you happen to see Captain Michael Palko about town, please take the time and opportunity to congratulate him on a Job Well Done.
Chief Myrick added that if successful, Michael will be the second of Murphy’s Police Explorers to attend academy training and become a police officer with the Murphy Police Department, Clayton Dacey was the first. Now Officer Dacey, Clayton graduated from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Academy on January 11, 2007 and is now undergoing the required field training program with veteran officers of the department.
Additional information will follow as it becomes available.
