Mission Statement
The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Explorer Academy will enhance leadership, professionalism, and personal development by promoting citizenship, integrity, accountability, fairness, service, and pride.

The CBP Explorer Academy will provide uniform and quality training to CBP Explorers in order to promote the professional image of the United States Customs and Border Protection.

The CBP Explorer Academy will empower youth through positive encouragement to further drug and violence prevention programs as well as to develop career values and goals.

The CBP Explorer Academy will foster cultural awareness and respect through leadership diversity, structure, and discipline.

Facts about the CBP Explorer Academy
The Law Enforcement Explorer Program was established in 1968 to afford qualified young men and women the opportunity to affiliate themselves with the criminal justice field prior to reaching the eligible age for appointment as law enforcement professionals.

CBPEA will provide an intense training environment with high level instructors who actively promote the core values of integrity, accountability, fairness, service, and pride through leadership, professionalism, and personal development courses. These instructors came from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies as well as military personnel to uniformly provide excellent training to eligible CBP Explorers from across the country. Courses focused on law enforcement techniques and procedures necessary for the increasingly challenging environment that exists today.

The CBP Academy will not only strengthen the performance and skills necessary to compete at local and national competitions but also create camaraderie for Explorers from across the nation. Explorers who attend will embark on a challenging endeavor where they will learn and apply the necessary skills of fundamental and advanced leadership.

The training blocks of the Academy are designed to encourage structure, discipline, conflict resolution techniques and cultural awareness by creating an interactive environment for Explorers. This instructional format will help prepare them to serve as better citizens and role models in their communities.

The Academy instills the importance of officer safety through the use of highly trained instructors and the use of non-combative resources and techniques.

Training
Courses for CBPEA participants include, but are not limited to the following areas:

• History of the Customs and Border Protection
• CBP/Border Patrol Laws and Operations
• Basic Investigation Skills
• Building Search
• Crime and Drug Prevention
• Crime Scene Search
• Criminal and Constitutional Law
• Cultural Awareness
• Drill and Ceremonies
• Ethics and Integrity
• Firearms Range and Safety Procedure
• Hostage Negotiations
• Interview and Interrogations Skills
• Leadership Dynamics
• Physical Training
• Report Writing
• Surveillance
• Traffic Stops

Certifications
Upon completion of the Academy all participants will receive a Certificate of Graduation. Other awards will be presented for highest achievement in various categories.

Other CBPEA Activities
Other activities may include:

• Tours of CBP facilities
• High Adventure Activities
• Social event

	Photo Credit: Mike Gustafson

Qualifications for Participation
In order to meet the minimum qualifications to participate in CBPEA, Explorers must:

• Have at least one year experience as an Explorer
• Have the full official and complete Explorer Uniform, including badge
• Have approval from Post Head Advisor
• Have approval from Parent or Legal Guardian
• Submit an application and at least 2 Letters of Recommendation