By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–The Helena Police Explorers Program hosted their annual “First Nighter” Open House on Monday, Oct. 26 in an effort to recruit more young men and women interested in a future career in law enforcement.

Current Helena Police Explorers were on hand as well as Helena Police Chief Pete Folmar and Helena Patrol Officer Josh Lindsey who were also participants in the police explorers program before beginning their law enforcement careers.

The focus of the night was to inform those interested in joining the Helena Explorers Program while also receiving background information on what the program is about.

“It’s just a chance for new, interested people to come and let us talk to them about what exploring is and give them information on when our meetings are and that kind of thing,” said Lindsey.

The program, which is chartered through the Boy Scouts of America Learning for Life Program, is open to young men and women ages 14-21.

One of the current members of the Helena Police Explorers Program, Drew Marling, was promoted to post lieutenant during the open house and he said his favorite part about the program is the “ride along” with officers.

“At first I wasn’t sure I wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement and then one day I saw some old dash cam footage when Pete was at Pelham and I realized it’s what I wanted to do,” said Marling. “I asked was there something I could do to better myself for a career in law enforcement and the answer was the explorers program.”

The Helena Police Department currently employs eight former explorers, including Folmar and Lindsey with several more employed at other local departments.

Police Explorer participants compete in competitions where Helena has traditionally done well. They are preparing for their eighth national competition in 2016.

With Folmar being a former graduate of the explorer program, he said it is the best way to get involved and learn about a career in law enforcement.

“It gives you a really good foundation if you want to make it a profession,” said Folmar. “I have two sons here tonight so I obviously believe in it.

The Helena Police Explorers meet the second and fourth Monday of each month from 4-7 p.m. at the training facility.