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Galax Police Department's Explorer Program
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Law Enforcement Exploring is a worksite-based program for young men and women who have completed the eighth grade and are 14 years of age, or are 15 years of age but have not yet reached their 21st birthday.

Law Enforcement Explorer posts help youth to gain insight into a variety of programs that offer hands-on career activities. For young men and women who are interested in careers in the field of law enforcement, Exploring offers experiential learning with lots of fun-filled, hands-on activities that promote the growth and development of adolescent youth.

The Galax Police Department Explorer Post was founded in the spring of 1984. We attempt to provide a service to the youth in the community that would educate the youth on police work, build a relationship with the youth, and provide an alternative source of recreation. The program is for teen agers and young adults between the ages of 14 - 20 years of age who express an interest in law enforcement. Since its incorporation to this area, the Explorers program has had at least 3 people to pursue a career in law enforcement and have moved up through the ranks:

  • James Wagoner has obtained the rank of Chief of Police.
  • James Cox has obtained the rank of Captain.
  • Aaron Criner has obtained the rank of Detective.
Other former post members are either employed with a law enforcement agency or are enrolled in secondary educational programs seeking a career in criminal justice.

The Explorer's Program is an extension of the Boy Scouts of America Program and is modeled after the Venturer's program. Our main goal is to build leaders within the community and to give youth a chance to experience the daily life of a Galax police officer. We accomplish this in two ways;

  • The Explorers are a self run program in that officers are elected and it is up to the Explorers to decide not only what training they desire, but also to make the necessary arrangements. Officers of the Galax Police Department only act in an advisor compacity.
  • The other way is by giving the Explorers an opportunity to participate in the ride-along program. We allow the Explorers to ride with an officer for up to 8 hours per week according to the Explorer's schedule.


Contact by email Sgt. Chris Brown or call 276-236-8101 for more information.