Detective Matthew Wojtaszczyk and Officer Marc Lawrence are getting ready to graduate eight students from the City of Batavia Police Department’s first Explorer Program.
After looking into a program that was offered in Monroe County, the duo decided the program would be a good thing for the Batavia community.
Law enforcement exploring is a career orientation and experience program for young people, 8th-12th grade, who are thinking of a career in the field of criminal justice.
The group meets for 2 hours twice per month.
The first class will be winding down with their experience in August.
“We are always looking to reach out to the community,” says Wojtaszczyk.
“It is a very cool experience for them to learn the insides of the job.”
Wojtaszczyk says the kids are very serious about it and dedicated.
“They show up, they do the events we ask, they are very interested, they do the ride alongs with our offices. It is great recruiting for us too, we show them what the path is to become a police officer and what they need to do.”
Last Sunday the kids observed a K-9 demonstration by Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Erion and K-9 Destro.
The group is also First Aid Certified thanks to the City of Batavia Fire Department. The group also visited the Genesee County Communications Center.
The Police Department will begin recruiting in the fall again at the City of Batavia schools. The program can accept up to 15 students.
The program is made possible through a partnership with the Boy Scouts. There is a small application fee for the program.