tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post6763020762592248609..comments2023-10-26T08:37:12.232-04:00Comments on Heleni Smith: Tampa Officer, Teen Helper Attacked During InvestigationAthena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11483906167304901085noreply@blogger.comBlogger158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-75765733648689329892008-02-07T18:50:00.000-05:002008-02-07T18:50:00.000-05:00I feel police explorers are a good thing. If young...I feel police explorers are a good thing. If young teens want to be with a police officer in that atmosphere they should know the risks they are taking. It is dangerous. It is kind of like in high school when ever students are in the agriculture club and they do all the agriculture farming things. They are learning a lot just like the kids whom are apart of the police exploration activity. It allows them to know what the job of a police officer is like to see if whenever they get older if they also would like to be a police officer. I like the idea of the young teen police explorers.diana25https://www.blogger.com/profile/10363098237200464053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-43593819201880562002008-02-07T18:39:00.000-05:002008-02-07T18:39:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.diana25https://www.blogger.com/profile/10363098237200464053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-36467480722088610132008-02-07T09:44:00.000-05:002008-02-07T09:44:00.000-05:00I think that it is a great idea for the police dep...I think that it is a great idea for the police department to have a program for students who want to be in the police system when they get older. I don’t although believe that these minors should be able to go out with police officers on their daily routes, only because of the safety matter. It is not safe for the officer, the student who is riding with them and by standers who might be around when the crime is taking place. I think that if they really want kids to go out and see what a officer does daily, they should have a observer car, where the police officer doesn’t actually fight crimes, just follows another cop to show what is going on.jmcdonald10https://www.blogger.com/profile/04239134049945463418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-31646329233268180362008-02-06T23:59:00.000-05:002008-02-06T23:59:00.000-05:00I do not agree with the program. Well i guess it ...I do not agree with the program. Well i guess it has its advantages and disadvantages. Many young peoples dreams are to be a police officer and what better way to see if you like the job is only if you are one for the day or however long it might be. The disadvantage is that it could be very unsafe, I mean even driving aound in a patrol car could be unsafe, i guess it depends what part of town you are in. Over all i would not put myself in the situation or I would not want my friends in it either.tennisprohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16462946099363553340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-21544784908653826642008-02-06T20:37:00.000-05:002008-02-06T20:37:00.000-05:00To the participants in the Police Explorer Program...To the participants in the Police Explorer Program it might seem like an amazing opportunity, but I do not believe the minors in the Police Explorer Program should be allowed to actually go out on patrol with officers. They are not properly trained in what to do in dangerous situations. A great example is like the situation in the article. The world is a dangerous place, and yes the Police do assist in making it a safer place, but the Police Explorers are not taught and equipt with that type of responsibility and training that on-duty Police have. I also feel that it is irresponsible of the Police Department to allow minors to go out on active duty with officers because they are not equipt and could be seriously injured. The Police Explorer Program should have strict rules on what the Explorers are allowed to do and where they are allowed to go. In general, I think that it doesn’t sound like the safest program; however, if the Police Department is going to have it they should be more responsible in how they run the Program.Britthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00288362979322422502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-83611906814792115792008-02-06T20:28:00.000-05:002008-02-06T20:28:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Britthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00288362979322422502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-35274352166019647702008-02-05T21:26:00.000-05:002008-02-05T21:26:00.000-05:00I think this is a great program. It gives teenager...I think this is a great program. It gives teenagers a chance to see the other side of the coin. Also it's probably nothing like the shows on television. It allowes them to see if this could possably be a career they might chose to follow. On the other hand there has to be a limit. If the explorer is not trained right, then they need to stay safe. Had something more serous happened to the explorer, who would be to balme? It's agreeable that it is a great learning experience, but keeping safety first.sunshinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01140693929833704583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-21014124538572814242008-02-05T15:55:00.000-05:002008-02-05T15:55:00.000-05:00i believe that this was a freak accident. this sho...i believe that this was a freak accident. this shouldn't take away from young civilains trying to model officers and what they want to do in life. i believe that the police explorer program should have tight regulations on what they are and are not alowed to do. i believe if this program is going to stay in progress that the police department needs to be more responsible. i also believe that it should be very closely watched especially when someone that is not properly trained that is with a police officer is put into a dangerous dsand unsafe situation for both parties.mike bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05356374093119290414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-74973425894806086542008-02-05T15:33:00.000-05:002008-02-05T15:33:00.000-05:00No student or minor should ride with a police offi...No student or minor should ride with a police officer. They are there to execute and support the law. A young person who does not have experience or is trained in law does not have any right to be put in a situation where he or she might be in danger. A cop has been trained and is paid to do his job, any person looking for experience or knowledge can read or book or go to school the same way every one else has done it. That is the reason there are young cadet programs and R.O.T.C in high school, real life situations can be dangerous and although they give excellent experience the risks are far to high and can not be over looked.MyHead88https://www.blogger.com/profile/01568147907078451316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-27079780497433975722008-02-05T00:48:00.000-05:002008-02-05T00:48:00.000-05:00I believe that the Police Explorer Program is a gr...I believe that the Police Explorer Program is a great program to have. It educates the youth to the various activities of a police officer and also informs them of the dangers that can happen on the job. This program can also show them if this is the right career for the future. If the young explorer finds that they are not the right person for the job, they will know by the time they graduate high school. Although, it is also risky at the same time when riding with a police officer that may get called to a crime scene. But by accompanying the officer will give them the experience they need to move forward in this career of their choice.TMyers1087https://www.blogger.com/profile/06539030023339715841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-24956123607303524562008-02-04T23:25:00.000-05:002008-02-04T23:25:00.000-05:00I do and I don’t agree with the Police Explorer pr...I do and I don’t agree with the Police Explorer program. I think that it is a great idea for policemen to get involved and want to show kids the ways of law enforcement, but I think that if they are going to allow kids to ride in the cars with the police officers than those police officers shouldn’t be allowed to take calls. When allowing policemen to take calls they are endangering the lives of the kids riding in the car with them as well as themselves. Also, if they are going to take someone in the police explorer program along with them than I don’t think that they should be taking them into neighborhoods that may put them in a dangerous situation.Tink1213https://www.blogger.com/profile/04812633049947356303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-39098904517146413462008-02-04T22:36:00.000-05:002008-02-04T22:36:00.000-05:00I agree with fporzio. I don't think the explorers...I agree with fporzio. I don't think the explorers should go out on patrol because lets face it- a police officer has a dangerous job. Also the minors may distract the police officers because they feel like they have to protect the tag a long and this may put both officer and explorer in danger! For example, what happened here --if they where two qualified and armed officers maybe it would have turned out a lot differently.<BR/><BR/>Also I’m not sure of the story because it says the house owner was dead or it was abandoned and people were going there to hang out and do drugs??? If the neighbor was aware of this what was he waiting for?? Why didn't he do something sooner??????michelleLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04113852834328780221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-14119751092548485592008-02-04T21:43:00.000-05:002008-02-04T21:43:00.000-05:00I think the program is a good idea because it give...I think the program is a good idea because it gives students one more way to look into a future career possibly. If issues like this occurred very often, I’m sure the program would be reconsidered. However, there is obviously an element of danger to be expected when one is driving around with a police officer on duty. Any person who volunteers must expect that. If there were a way to eliminate the danger and still provide a realistic experience that wasn’t incredibly costly, I’m sure it would have been implemented. Unfortunately, everything has its negative aspects, but we should be thankful that the student wasn’t critically injured.Karma Chameleonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14210582331535260839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-89839135427998399222008-02-04T21:27:00.000-05:002008-02-04T21:27:00.000-05:00I think that the Police Explorer Program is benef...I think that the Police Explorer Program is beneficial yet risky at the same time. There are teenagers accompanying police officers when they are called to the scene. I think that this is a great program. A great way for young people to look up to the heroes in their community. I am almost sure there are rules & regulations about this program, but I would like to see the teenage civilian stay in the car the entire time. Of course,. Getting out of the car is permissible, to use to restroom, but this would be so much safer. There is no need for a teenager approaching a potential dangerous situation.tquintero728https://www.blogger.com/profile/10271974472041871495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-53038396063310270522008-02-04T19:52:00.000-05:002008-02-04T19:52:00.000-05:00The Police Explorer Program is an excellent opport...The Police Explorer Program is an excellent opportunity for those that would like to become a police officer because it gives on the job training and experience. However, the problem is these students have not been educated to protect themselves if they run into trouble when they are with the police officer. I do not think it is a good idea for minors to be in this program because they are not taught how to defend themselves and it could become very dangerous if it is not taken seriously and the necessary precautions are taken to ensure that it is a safe experience.khester2https://www.blogger.com/profile/07062666509313202570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-14239410698363623262008-02-04T19:08:00.001-05:002008-02-04T19:08:00.001-05:00The concept of the Explorer program is great! What...The concept of the Explorer program is great! What better way for a young adult to find out if a career in law enforcement is right for them? However, when you take young people and put them in potentially dangerous situations…That is just asking for trouble. I do not think that taking the minors on patrol with the officers is a good idea. To many things can ,and in this case did, go wrong. The dangers that police officers face everyday is to great to try and involve a minor in. The program is a good idea, but not at all safe enough as they found out this past weekend.Goob07https://www.blogger.com/profile/02543887193988106695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-70356511211122899462008-02-04T19:08:00.000-05:002008-02-04T19:08:00.000-05:00I'm sure its a great program for teens but when th...I'm sure its a great program for teens but when there is a situation like that I feel that there should be two officers on duty for the ride. The program should have training for situations like those. It would have been very dangerous if the criminal got possession of the officer's firearm. I feel that the teen was trying to do good but it could have cost him his life. The officer should have never put the teen in danger like that. I think the Police Explorer program needs to be revised.sk8rgrlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14238264111232576139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-10692756973135746362008-02-04T17:21:00.000-05:002008-02-04T17:21:00.000-05:00I think the police explorer program is good, altho...I think the police explorer program is good, although I disagree that minors should be out on patrol with the policemen. I think it’s a good learning experience to be in the program because I myself was in the explorer program in High School and it was good and fun at the same time. It was a good thing to see if we liked it and were interested in pursuing a career in it. We had weekly meetings and learned safety techniques, as well as got trained. We weren’t allowed to ride along on a call with the police though which was good cause I don’t think that would’ve been safe to do.mndz05https://www.blogger.com/profile/06141055638482408669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-62748641398853877672008-02-04T17:05:00.000-05:002008-02-04T17:05:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.mndz05https://www.blogger.com/profile/06141055638482408669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-15469104370630897212008-02-04T16:31:00.000-05:002008-02-04T16:31:00.000-05:00I think the idea of a minor going out on the stree...I think the idea of a minor going out on the streets and playing cop to be ridiculous. It is extremely dangerous and unethical to me. Police officers are highly trained professionals who are taught how to deal with dangerous situations. A minor is not trained nor even mature enough to know how to deal with situations like that being thrown at them without warning. I think that however it is probably great training and very educational, it is not the way to go about it. I would think there were many liability issues. What if they got shot and killed? You never know what might happen with a criminal and I think that this sitation is a perfect example. So in my opinion, if the law inforcement agency wants to start training kids at a young age to be police officers, they better stick with the fake scenarios and training programs.kortneywithak2https://www.blogger.com/profile/01584190505419953392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-68466218712142986722008-02-04T14:10:00.001-05:002008-02-04T14:10:00.001-05:00It's not like they're pulling minors off the stree...It's not like they're pulling minors off the street and using them as human shields. I'm sure the kid signed a waiver to participate in the program. He was therefore aware of the risks and chose to participate anyway. The program doesn't seem like a particularly good idea to me though, because I see no reason to begin training an officer before the age of 18, but if it exists they should attempt to let the kids know what the job is really about. On a side note I'm sure the minor walked away with a small bump and a great story.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14066360562487329538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-85819069276720627472008-02-04T14:10:00.000-05:002008-02-04T14:10:00.000-05:00As shocking as this may sound to most people I on ...As shocking as this may sound to most people I on the other hand am not surprised at all. The officer was patrolling a bad part of town by himself with an explorer. Any minor that takes apart in this program must suspect that they may be endangered at any time or anywhere because they are with the police who's job is to go after the bad guys. If anyone is to blame for this attack it would have to be the police officer for not being accompanied by another officer while on patrol with the minor. On the other end though the minor's parents agreed for their child to be able to participate in the program by signing some sort of permission slip.Steve Overtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10654449063192513238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-38301907274762107842008-02-04T13:38:00.000-05:002008-02-04T13:38:00.000-05:00I have heard things about these youth Explorer Pol...I have heard things about these youth Explorer Police Programs, and I think that they are a good idea. I believe that they are a good experience for young adults that are interested in the criminal justice system. I think that it gives them confidence in the regards to being a police officer. As for the “explorers” being involved in altercations with citizens this is a totally different subject. These “explorers” should be required to stay in or right next to the police car. They should not be able to carry guns or any other weapons for that matter; they are not properly trained in how to use such tactics if an occurrence might come about. As we just read this “explorer” but not only his life but the life of the officer in jeopardy. Camera man as we see on Cops but themselves in these situations and many of them get hurt from criminals how can distinguish whether they are an officer or cameraman. These “explorer” programs should be carefully monitored by the police departments, having the “explorers” being escorted by an officer who only watches over them.hurricanes520https://www.blogger.com/profile/06604268503536707393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-55244023952415194782008-02-04T12:01:00.000-05:002008-02-04T12:01:00.000-05:00I think the police explorer program is a good prog...I think the police explorer program is a good program, as long as adults involved are responsible and use reasonable discretion as to which calls the explorers will be permitted to participate in. Many young people grow up board and end up participating in illegal activities just because they are looking for something to do. Programs, such as the police explorers, allow young people to provide a civil service while learning valuable life lessons. But as adults, the officers and policy makers involved in the program have a duty to provide a safe learning environment. Obviously in the case outlined in this article the officer would have had no idea that such a danger awaited them inside, but could have cleared the building before allowing the explorer to participate or waited for additional law enforcement to arrive for back up. It seems the explorer provided a false sense of security that ended badly for all parties involved.RockyRikokohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01166849286581184109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1951811281604727291.post-52998082374982138692008-02-04T11:59:00.000-05:002008-02-04T11:59:00.000-05:00I think the program is a great idea but I believe ...I think the program is a great idea but I believe the rules and restriction should be tighter. They should not be taking teenage kids to a burglary that is just asking for trouble. I would think teenagers should be involved in traffic violations or little things that are less likely to turn into a dangerous situation. Most burglars are probably armed with some sort of weapon and to put an untrained unarmed teenage kid in that kind of situation is absolutely ridiculous. The program sounds like a great educational experience for interested teens but I would think you would need some kind of line drawn between what the teens can and can not be involved in.pcgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10061452605246212582noreply@blogger.com