Missouri State Highway Patrol Explorer program

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

DAR/Michelle Friedrich

About 20 teenagers from across Southeast Missouri are participating in a pilot program designed to boost their interest in law enforcement careers. The teens are members of an Explorer Post established in Troop E by the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 2017.

Members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Explorers Post at Troop E use training bags to practice a push-back defensive tactic. (DAR/Michelle Friedrich)
Cearra Parish (left) and Alexandria Swihart, both of Doniphan and members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Explorer Post at Troop E, stand by to offer assistance at the Sikeston Bootheel Rodeo. (STANDARD DEMOCRAT/Brent Shipman)
Cayleigh Esmon (left) of Doniphan holds a training bag as Mary Lou White of Doniphan practices throwing a punch during an "intro to defensive tactics and de-escalation techniques" for the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Explorer program. (DAR/Michelle Friedrich)
Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. J.T. Wilson (center) shows Explorer Kurt Boone (left) of Poplar Bluff the proper way to handcuff his fellow Explorer Dominic Dasch of Doniphan. (DAR/Michelle Friedrich)

Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. Ricky Vannada (right) instructs Eli Stintson of Poplar Bluff (center) and Jonathan Larmore of Doniphan on hostage negotiation techniques as other members of the patrol's Explorer program at Troop E look on. (Photo provided)
Eli Stintson of Poplar Bluff contacts a motorist during a simulated traffic stop as part of the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Explorer program at Troop E. (Photo provided)