The Riverside County Sheriff's Department and the Palm Desert Police Department actively support the Law Enforcement Explorer Program. The Law Enforcement Explorer Program is an important asset for today's youth that allows them to explore the career opportunities offered in the law enforcement profession. In addition, Explorers are exposed to and learn correct information about the criminal justice system, which often is a topic of conversation among their peers.

The Explorer program is a very important community based program that provides educational and practical information to its participants. In return, the Explorers provide a valuable asset to the community by working at special events, such as the Springfest, 4th of July, Summer of Fun, and Golf Cart Parade events, as well as assisting deputies on ride-a-longs. They assist with searches and traffic control, allowing sworn deputies to respond to more critical assignments.

The Explorers receive weekly training in a variety of law enforcement related subjects, participate in a week long Explorer Academy at the Ben Clark Training Center in Riverside, and participate annually in the California Explorer Competition event. Each youth accepted into the Explorer program is registered with The Inland Empire Council of the Learning For Life Program. They are simultaneously processed as a Sheriff's Volunteer and registered with The Emergency Council of Riverside County as a disaster service worker. Several current deputies assigned to stations in the Coachella Valley have been members of Explorer Post 507. The Department is currently seeking new members for Post 507. If you are between the ages of 14-20, and interested in joining the Palm Desert Police Explorer Post 507, please call the Post Advisor, Sgt. Randy Vasquez, at 836-1624, or e-mail him at rvasquez@riversidesheriff.org.