APPLICATION PROCESS
- Applications are taken on annual basis only.
- Open Enrollment Period- July 1st - August 31st each year
- Background investigation is pass/fail
- Complete application paperwork in its ENTIRETY
- Applicants must pass physical agility Testing.
- Applicants must attend Family Orientation on specified date.
**QUALIFICATIONS TO JOIN**
Each applicant must complete the online application during Open Enrollment period between July 1st - August 31st.
Age Qualifications- Must be at least 14 years old and completed the 8th grade. The maximum age is 20 years old.
- Applicants under eighteen (18) years of age must have parental consent to enroll in the program.
- Both male and female encouraged to join
- School- Be enrolled in school and maintain at least a "C" (70) or higher GPA. They must have a high school diploma or GED if not in school.
- Physical Agility Testing- Pass the Physical Agility Test within the required time limit, with 4 components to pass which include: pushups, 500Meter row, sit ups, and mile and half run.
- Boot Camp Academy- They must also attend and complete the required annual week-long Explorer Boot Camp Academy which is held in the summer each year.
- Pass Background Investigation and maintain a neat/clean appearance.
- Personal History
Applicants cannot have a criminal record, to include arrests or convictions. Traffic violations do not disqualify an applicant unless it is obvious that he/she is a habitual offender. Each applicant is expected to avoid the use of illegal narcotics, alcohol or tobacco products and be sound in their health and fitness. Anyone terminated from employment based on any type of theft or deception is also a disqualifier. Anyone who has a theft offense designated as a Class B misdemeanor or higher will be a disqualifier. - Follow Standards of Operational Procedures in order to maintain their association in the program. After being accepted into the program, you will be on a 6-month probationary period prior to being issued uniforms as outlined in the Explorers’ Standard Operating Procedures.
NEXT STEPS FOR APPLICATION PROCESS SEE BELOW!
Please see ALL below steps that are required prior to approval for our FWPD Exploring program. We will in touch shortly. It takes time for us to send you the next steps.
· BACKGROUND CHECK: Each of you will need to go to the following link and enter your information in order for us to complete the background check. This is mandatory for everyone each year. It can take up to three weeks to receive the returns from our background checks. Please be sure to watch your emails for follow up regarding your background status. You will receive a PASS or FAIL email regarding your background check.
· PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT TESTING: which is scheduled for Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 6pm at our FWPD Training facility located at 505 W Felix St, Ft Worth, TX 76115.
Please arrive in a timely manner so that we can start the PAT on time. Please dress in work out attire with closed toed tennis shoes. This is a mandatory test that every applicant must complete prior to entrance in our FWPD Exploring program.
You will need to park on the west side of the parking lot and enter through the west side walkthrough gate that you will be given access to from a FWPD Officer. Once you enter the facility you will be directed to the staging room for further instructions. Please see the attached waiver for the PAT test along with the instructions about the test. The waiver must be signed and brought with you to the testing site.
· ANNUAL HEALTH & MEDICAL FORM: This will be handed out the day of the physical assessment testing. This form must be completed and retuned by Family orientation night or no later than November 1st. Please do not delay in working on your paperwork as it requires a medical release completed and signed by a physician. If not received by November 1st you will be disqualified.
· FAMILY ORIENTATION NIGHT: scheduled for Monday, October 6th, 2025 at 6pm at Bob Bolen Safety Center Multi-purpose room located at 505 W Felix St., Fort Worth TX.
Upon arrival for this event, you will come to main entrance of the Administration building at the Bob Bolen Safety Center. You will be greeted in the Lobby by Officers and Explorers and escorted to the Multi-purpose room to attend the Family Orientation event. Please be aware this event is a sit down meet & greet opportunity for Q & A about the program. We also have open mic for any questions, concerns or comments about the FWPD Exploring program.
This event is open to parents and youth applicants. It is requested not to bring small toddlers and/or babies if possible due to the environment of the event. There will be light finger foods and drinks served as well. **Please email headcount for the Family Orientation**
During this event you will have the opportunity to meet several of our Officers and Explorers that are currently working with our FWPD Exploring Program.
All contact will be made via email, please be sure to keep up with your emails in a timely manner.
Thank you all for your interest in our FWPD Exploring program. We look forward to working with you in the near future! Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let us know. Have a great week!
Officer Rebecca Woodward
Officer Rebecca Woodward
Fort Worth Police Department
Explorer Coordinator
Office 817-392-4458
Cell 817-944-7829
Email rebecca.woodward@fortworthtexas.gov
