Crime & Safety
Civilian Volunteer Encourages Police Explorers
Ryan Taylor has been an active Police Explorer since he was 16. Today he is the Montville Police Department Explorer advisor.
- Name: Ryan Taylor is the Civilian Advisor for Montville Township Police Explorers Post #805. He is a volunteer. “I turned 21 and I was looking for a police department to work for,” said Taylor. “I am looking to become a patrolman. I was looking for a police department that had an Explorers program, specifically, because I love working with the Explorers, and I love what the program offers. Montville had an opening for a civilian position, so I took it.”
- Serves On: Taylor has been involved with the Police Explorers program since he was 16-years-old. He belonged to the Morris County Sheriff department post. “I basically supervise the explorers, and set up details, and basically provide guidance and training for the kids in the program,” Taylor explained about his duties as an advisor. He was recommended to the Montville Police force volunteer position by the current director of Explorer Post #805, Frank Cooney. Taylor assists Cooney in preparing schedules and coordinating sessions and training.
- Time: The Montville Police Explorers post currently has 38 members in the program. Taylor gives 12 to 40 hours weekly to the post. “Mostly it’s closer to 40,” explained Taylor. “The Explorer program shows kids what a police officer’s daily routine would be,” said Taylor. “What kind of calls they would go on and what kind of scenarios they might encounter. So, it’s our job to prepare them for those scenarios by setting up classroom time to explain basically what the procedures would be.” Taylor also creates practice scenarios in which explorers test their knowledge. Explorers compete against other posts, and at national competitions. “Thousands of kids,” said Taylor of the number of competitors found at national Police Explorer tournaments. The Police Explorers program is a division of the Boy Scouts of America, and since the 1970s, bi-annual competitions have been held throughout the United States. Part of Taylor’s job is to help prepare Explorers for the tournaments. He also prepares them for real jobs within the community. “We do traffic and parking details,” noted Taylor. “And park patrols at the Community Park, making sure that the people who are using the fields have the correct permits.”
- What Part of Town: In November, the Parsippany native moved to Montville in order to assume his duties as the Explorers Civilian Advisor for the Montville Township Police Department. In addition, Taylor, who recently took the New Jersey Law Enforcement Entrance Exam, hopes to one day become a Montville police officer. The Montville Police Department hires “from within its own town,” said Taylor. In order to become a police officer, candidates must take the state test and be ranked on their performance. Taylor scored well, and is now posted on a list. When police departments have an opening, candidates are chosen from that list to attend the police academy. Taylor hopes to attend the academy when a position becomes available in Montville.
- Education: At 16, Taylor thought he wanted to become an accountant. “I took my first accounting course and I was like, ‘Oh. I gotta get outta here,’” said Taylor. “I needed something more active.” It was after that that a friend suggested the Police Explorers program. Currently, Taylor is majoring in Criminal Justice at County College of Morris and is only a few credits away from completing his Associate’s Degree. After that he intends to pursue his Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security, “while still pursuing my career in law enforcement.”
- Career: In addition to college, and his volunteer position at the Montville Police Explorers program, Taylor works as a security guard.
- Most Rewarding: “Seeing the kids accomplish things,” said Taylor. In particular, this past June, Taylor helped to coordinate the Law Enforcement Explorer Academy held at the County of Morris Public Safety Training Academy. The round the clock, 8-day, program is physically and mentally challenging. “It’s extremely fulfilling seeing the kids achieve a lot,” added Taylor. Many kids who participate in the Explorer program don’t become police officers. But, according to Taylor, Explorers teaches life lessons, and core values, like honesty, attention to detail, professionalism, and self discipline. These qualities help individuals in whatever career they choose.
- Most Difficult: “Seeing Explorers slip through the cracks,” Taylor said. “The program’s definitely not for everybody. It’s a program for responsible young adults who are looking for more responsibility. It’s not a give-me program where you’re gonna send us your troubled youth and we’re gonna fix them. Sometimes you see kids that are just not interested… Sometimes you see kids and they get into trouble. It’s unfortunate. The program can help so many people in so many different ways.” According to Taylor, the majority of youth who join stay in the program, even if they are not interested in a career in law enforcement.
- Favorite Thing About Montville Township: “I love Montville, it’s a great, great community,” said Taylor. “It’s just phenomenal…. Montville operates almost like a family, like a giant family.” Since his arrival in town, Taylor has been impressed by the people of Montville and their commitment to the community. “They put a lot of effort into making sure the community stays a community,” he added.
- Something You Would Like to Change About Montville Township: Given the breadth of Montville Township, Taylor hopes that he can help inspire even more people to get involved, particularly in youth programs, and in attending events like Montville’s fireworks display. “There’re a lot of people involved, but, with Montville, Towaco, and Pine Brook, there are so many more who can get involved to support each other,” he added.
- Hobbies: “I love baseball,” said Taylor. “I’m a big Yankees fan.” Despite the fact that recently he has been spending most of his time working, Taylor has made time to join his family, including his three younger sisters, at the beach. “Ever since I moved out, I see them less,” he noted. His sisters, who are 5, 7, and 9 years younger than Taylor, serve as his inspiration, and are one of the reasons he is pursuing a career in law enforcement. “In law enforcement I want to help the youth and protect the community,” he said. Taylor wants communities everywhere to be safe and a good place for kids to grow up.
- Want Others To Know About Explorers: “The Explorers has been the biggest influence in my life so far,” Taylor said. “I would encourage anyone who is at least somewhat interested in their community to give it a try.”
- Philosophy: “Life. You just gotta take it a day at a time, but you gotta care about everything around you.”
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