Students learn the ropes of law enforcement

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Members of Law Enforcement Explorer Post 360 include advisor Bobby Pennington, Stephen Ginn, Josh Bickford, Chris McCormick, Matt Marlin, Melissa Carpenter, Melissa Lott and advisor Glenda Young. (Will Stewart photo)

While some teenagers may be on the wrong side of the law, a group of students at Warren County High School has decided they want to stay on the right side of the law. To that effect, Law Enforcement Explorer Post 360 was formed in April.

Led by sheriff’s department deputies and school resource officers Bobby Pennington and Glenda Young, the post currently boasts seven members.

Explorer, an organization affiliated with Boy Scouts of America, is a career education program for young men and women between the ages of 14 and 20. Explorer posts allow young people to explore careers of interest to them, including ones in business, industry, professional, military, service and other community organizations.

The post came about, Pennington said, after a Boy Scouts survey of high school students found law enforcement to the most interesting career to those answering the survey.

Students participating in the program have the opportunity to study, in depth, many topics of law enforcement including crime scene investigation, fitness and nutrition. Additionally they will have the chance to become trained in bike patrol and assist in a number of community safety initiatives including the operation “DUI Experience” and bike safety classes.

Possible future activities include ride-alongs in police vehicles and other such outings.

The post meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the high school. If interested in joining or learning more, call Pennington at 668-5939.