The Erie Police Explorers, a program for those 14 to 20 who have an interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement, has relaunched under the guidance of city police officers.
Provided by the Erie Police Expl
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Erie police have resurrected two former programs in an effort to educate the community on what the department and its members do and to strengthen relationships with the people they serve.
Police Chief Rick Lorah told members of Erie City Council during a budget study session Sept. 10 that the department is relaunching its Citizens Police Academy, and that the Erie Police Explorers program is back for the first time in five or six years.
Lorah listed those items during a discussion with council on the city police bureau’s community policing efforts, which he said includes the Erie Police Athletic League, ride-along programs and internships, and the Mayor’s Council on Community Safety and Trust.
Bringing back both programs will help educate people on the functions of the department, where its members can explain the processes and policies and the reasons behind them, Lorah said, adding that there seems to be a lot of incorrect information out there.
Citizens Police Academy
The Citizens Police Academy was created in 1996 and ran annually until 2014, when it ended due to lack of participation. It was then a 12-week program held over the winter months. The academy returned in 2015, but was moved to the fall and was reduced to five weeks. It ended again when the city and police chose to pilot the U.S. Department of Justice’s “Strengthening Police and Community Partnerships” program, according to former Police Chief Dan Spizarny.
The relaunched academy, which is expected to begin in early 2027, will first be open to members of Erie City Council and will take place Tuesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. for eight weeks, said Tom Lenox, captain of community policing and recruitment for the Erie Bureau of Police. Lenox said his hope is to then open it up to members of the Mayor’s Council on Community Safety and Trust before offering it to the greater community.
Lenox said the academy will be a structured program, educating leaders on what it is like to be a police officer, case law and protocols. It will also provide an in-depth look at every segment of the department, from parole and criminal investigations to special units such as the SWAT Team.
“We’re essentially bringing in experts to not just talk about what we do, but involve members to give them hands-on experience,” he said.
Among the topics include the hiring and background investigation process; the citizen complaint process; 911 communications and police response; crisis intervention and community policing; and use of force, defensive tactics and less-lethal options, according to an outline provided by Lenox. Participants will also explore decision-making by officers and will take part in a number of scenarios.
The program will end with a graduation ceremony where the cadets receive certificates, Lenox said.
“This gives us the opportunity, I think, to be able to give our community members a foundation and an understanding and education on why we do the things we do,” he said.
Police Explorers
The Erie Police Explorers program first started in September 1978 and was in place for decades, providing students ages 14 to 20 with an interest in law enforcement the opportunity to learn about the various aspects of policing.
The program relaunched in November, chartered through Scouting America. Erie police Sgt. Thomas Dunmire was in a leadership position in Scouting America’s French Creek Council when he said he wanted to help bolster the city police department’s recruitment efforts by restarting the Police Explorers program. Those who have overseen the program in the past said a number of its participants have gone on to become police officers, including some who joined the Erie police force.
The program currently has 12 participants, although leaders are actively recruiting more young men and women ages 14 to 20, Dunmire said. The group meets Wednesday evenings, typically two to three times a month, he said.
Erie police officers serve as post advisors and are trained through Scouting America’s guidelines, Dunmire said. They follow Erie police and Scouting America policies, he said.
The Erie Police Explorer’s cadets take part in classroom instruction, where they learn about police policies and case law, among other things. They also run through scenario-based drills, learn first aid and can participate in the department’s ride-along program, said Sgt. Matt Eicher, the program’s post advisor.
Members will also be doing community service, including helping out at the city’s annual CelebrateErie festival, Eicher said.
The Explorer post will soon be taking applications for new cadets, with information posted on its Facebook page and on the post’s website, which they plan to relaunch, Eicher said.
Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie police relaunch Police Explorers, return Citizens Police Academy
Reporting by Tim Hahn, Erie Times-News / Erie Times-News
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This story was originally published October 7, 2026 at 5:12 AM.