At the Houston Police Department’s Westside Command station, the Explorers program for residents ages 14 through 21 is making an even stronger difference in the community, especially as some of its members move up to become police officers, members of the military or college students majoring in related studies.

The program, which receives funding from the International Management District (IMD), is one of 13 Houston-area Explorer posts in the Law Enforcement Exploring program backed by Learning for Life, a subsidiary of Scouts BSA (formerly Boy Scouts of America). Members meet on Tuesday evenings.

It’s all about community service for the youths. Throughout the year, the Explorers volunteer at schools and neighborhood events, including Special Olympics, 5K charity runs and funerals.

Community service and outreach help bridge potential divide between the police and the neighborhoods, said HPD Senior Officer Mike Prause, who shared some updates about the program with the District. Here’s what he had to say:

IMD: What are the successes of this program since we last checked in?

Prause: Our most recent addition to the Houston Police Department family is Officer Karen Sanchez. She aged out of the Westside Post at the rank of Explorer captain. She began the Houston Police Academy in October 2020. She graduated the Police Academy in April 2021 and completed her probationary period in October 2021. She is now assigned to evening shift patrol at the Southeast station. She recently (received) an award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

On Sept. 6, former Explorer Lt. William Rivas began the HPD Academy. He also recently has returned from a U.S. Air Force deployment to Guatemala. He will be the seventh police officer who was an Explorer at the Westside Post.

In November 2022, Westside Explorer Brandon Chavez will leave for the United States Air Force. He will be the 20th Westside Explorer to join a branch of the United States military.

On July 28, 2022, Westside Explorer Post assisted the International Management District with a “Back to School” event.

Westside Explorers Amori Harrison is leaving the post to attend Sam Houston State University. He will be majoring in criminal justice.

Westside Explorer Feranmi Oduwole is in a medical Internship. She has left the post to attend Texas A&M University for the fall semester. Her studies will be focused in the medical field. She is a recent graduate of Alief Elsik High School and aspires to be a pediatric surgeon.

IMD: How many students are enrolled in Explorers at Westside now?

Prause: We have 16 Explorers participating in our post at Westside.

IMD: Has that number grown? If so, how and why?

Prause: We are at about the same number as December 2020.  We have had new people participate in the program but have left for college or the military.

IMD: What examples/stories do you have about Explorers who are moving on to join HPD, the military, etc.?

Prause: Westside post now has six ex-Explorers who are now police officers and 19 are in the U.S. military. Two have already finished their military obligations and two more have extended their military enlistments.

IMD: How important is this program to HPD, and also to the young Explorers?

Prause: The program is very important to the entire City of Houston. Building a bridge between law enforcement and the community in which we serve is vital in any community.

In my eight years of being involved in this program, I have only had two Explorers who had a family member in law enforcement.  The other approximately 100 Explorers that I have worked with had no prior knowledge of law enforcement or how police officers work.

Learn more by contacting:

Senior Police Officer Mike Prause
Differential Response Team
Westside Command Station
Houston Police Department
346.266.9243 or 832.394.5711