SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER

Sgt. Mike Jones and Explorer Chief Cory Jackson of the Helena Police Explorer Program recently returned from Washington D.C. and the National Crime Prevention conference sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Sgt. Mike Jones served as one of three program speakers on volunteers in police service, explorer program success, crime prevention, community service organizations, and the governors office of faith based and community initiatives, during the two day workshop at Capitol Hill. The International Association of Chief&8217;s of Police (IACP) awarded Sgt. Jones with a membership to their organization and paid for his travel and expenses to the conference.

At the workshop, Sgt. Jones was the crime prevention and community involvement consultant. He helped participants explore ways to engage in joint efforts that will strengthen relationships between youth and law enforcement and help with crime prevention in communities across America. As he related the history and achievements of the Helena Police Explorer Program as an example, conference participants stood and applauded.

Sgt. Jones invited Helena Police Explorer Chief Cory Jackson to travel with him and attend the conference. Cory was recently elected to serve as the President of National Law Enforcement Exploring and National Youth Representative serving more than 70,000 law enforcement explorers nationwide. Explorer Chief Jackson said, &8220;This is the most intense and informed crime prevention and community involvement training I have ever seen. The federal government has put a lot of effort into building stronger relationships between law enforcement and the youth within their community. I&8217;m proud of the Helena Police Explorer Program for gaining the attention of the U.S. Department of Justice and Bureau of Justice Assistance. They invited us to teach others how to build and operate a successful youth program.&8221;

They also found time to visit with Secret Service Officials at the White House, Senator Jeff Sessions, and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

Sgt. Mike Jones said, &8220;It was a honor to be invited to serve as a program speaker for the National Crime Prevention Conference. I am proud of the overall success of the Helena Police Explorer Program and am eager to share it with others.&8221;

&8220;The foundation of my message was that the level of success is based on surrounding support received from law enforcement organization officials, community based programs, corporate sponsorships, citizen fund raisers, and city officials. I shared examples of support for the Helena Police Explorers, which starts with the Helena Police Department, Chief Doug Jones, the department personnel/administration, Mayor Penhale, the entire City Council and city government.&8221;