News Release
October 26, 2000

The California State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police announces the 2000/2001 grant awards of $249,300.00, to one hundred, seventeen Police Explorer groups in California. Awards are based on the worthiness of the request as it relates to Police Explorer activities. This is the fourth biannual FOP sponsored Explorer Post grant program. Since the inception of this program we have awarded two hundred and seventy-nine grants to two hundred-eleven different Explorer Posts statewide for a total amount of over $708,000.00. This grant program reinforces the State Lodge's stated goal of supporting local communities in working with youth by reinforcing their desire to work within the Law Enforcement Profession and instilling a desire to serve their community.

This program came about with FOP's awareness of the difficulties many departments are experiencing with funding cutbacks and that some departments were unable to provide their Explorers with equipment such as uniforms, flashlights, jackets, leather, etc. This lack of money has not only caused some agencies to drop their Explorer Post program, but has kept many youths from joining a program due to their being unable to afford uniforms, etc. The California Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police considers the Police Explorer Program a vital link with the youth of our State which not only provides a great public service to the community but also grooms youth for entering the field of law enforcement.

The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest police organization in the United States with over 290,000 members nationwide consisting of active and retired full time peace officers. We are organized for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of the law enforcement profession and thus more firmly establish the confidence of the public in the service dedicated to the protection of life and property.

click here to view the explorer posts that have received grants

click here to view the total amounts of money granted to explorer posts.

click here to find out how your agencie can qualify for an explorer post grant.