The Troup County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications from residents ages 14 through 20-years-old for its Explorer program. The year-round, co-ed program takes local youth and shows them what deputies do at the sheriff’s office.

“It’s kind of like ROTC that they have at the high schools for law enforcement,” said TCSO Sgt. Stewart Smith.

Smith said participants meet every month and participate in events such as the annual sheriff’s office’s car show, directing vehicles at Pyne Road Park for the Fourth of July fireworks show and help with crowd control at local football games.

“We bring them in and expose them during their time as an explorer to kind of every aspect of us in public safety,” Smith said. “They also help during our trash pick-up with the sheriff’s office and other activities that we do.”

Smith said the program is a chance for local youth to get their feet wet and learn if they want to get into law enforcement.

“Kids who have an interest in law enforcement it gives them a chance to see it while they’re young,” Smith said. “I was actually in the program myself back in the early ‘90s, and we’ve got I think five other who work for us who were in the program at that time. It gives you an opportunity to learn about it before you actually get into it.”

Smith said membership to join the program is $35 and $2 each month. The program accepts members throughout the year, so there is no deadline. Anyone interested in program can contact Smith at (706) 883-1616.