THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE EXPLORER PROGRAM IS TO EDUCATE AND INVOLVE COMMUNITY YOUTH IN BASIC POLICE OPERATIONS. EXPLORING PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND TEENAGERS TO UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER BETTER. VARIOUS PRECINCTS IN THE COUNTY SPONSOR SEPARATE POSTS WITH APPROXIMATELY 200 MEMBERS. EACH LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPLORER POST IS RUN SIMILARLY TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN TERMS OF RANK. POLICE OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF THE POST ARE REFERRED TO AS ADVISORS, AND THE POST IS BROKEN DOWN INTO BASIC POLICE RANKS OF CAPTAIN, LIEUTENANT, AND SERGEANT. NONRANKED INDIVIDUALS ARE REFERRED TO SIMPLY AS EXPLORERS. EACH POST IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS OWN FUNDING. MONEY IS USED FOR THE EXPENSE OF ISSUING ALL MEMBERS IDENTICAL UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT. POLICE WALKIE-TALKIES ARE USED FOR CROWD CONTROL, TRAFFIC DIRECTION, PARADE DETAILS, AND SECURITY EVENTS. OTHER FUNDS HAVE TO BE RAISED TO MEET TRAVEL EXPENSES, FOOD COSTS FOR MEMBERS DURING ACTIVITIES, AND COSTS FOR SUPPLIES THAT ARE USED FOR VARIOUS PROJECTS. THE SUFFOLK COUNTY EXPLORER PROGRAM RECORDS AN AVERAGE OF 5,000 MANPOWER HOURS PER MONTH. MENTAL AND PHYSICAL FITNESS IS EMPHASIZED. LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPLORING SERVES AS A RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY, IN ADDITION TO BEING A VITAL FUNCTION IN MEETING DEFINITIVE COMMUNITY NEEDS. EXPLORERS FROM THE COUNTY PARTICIPATED IN THE 85TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE. (DEP)