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Public Interest   >   Youth Opportunities

Youth Opportunities

Teen Academy

The Orange County Sheriff's Office Teen Academy is for students between the ages of 13 to 17.  This FREE week-long academy is held during the summer vacation and is from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Snacks will be provided. Students must bring their own lunch. 

As a student of the Teen Academy, you will gain a knowledge and understanding of the functions and responsibilities of the various roles within the Orange County Sheriff's Office. This highly interactive academy discusses many safety topics that teens face such as bulling, dating, truancy, and social media.  The academy also gives an overview of deputy training, criminal investigations, community policing, specialty units, operational services, special operations, and court services. 

The Teen Academy offers field trips which enable the students to tour OCSO facilities, such as the Communications Center, Aviation Hanger, Crime Scene/Forensics Lab, and the Mounted Stables.

To become a student, you must submit an application through the Orange County Sheriff's Office website.  Applicants must be able to pass a background check to attend the Teen Academy. The background check is required so the student will be able to enter our secure buildings. 

For more information on these exciting programs,  please contact the Academy Program Coordinator at (407) 254-7320 or [email protected].

 

Teen Academy 2025

Dates will be released at the end of 2024 for 2025

** Registration opens on: TBD**

 

Registration is closed

Apply For Teen Academy

Explorers Post 2061

Explorers Post 2061 Flag

          

 

Apply to be an Explorer

 

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program is designed for young people (ages 14-21) interested in law enforcement. You must be between the ages of 14 and 18 to apply. The primary functions of the Explorer Program is assisting the Sheriff’s Office through community service projects while learning about the many aspects of the criminal justice system. Explorer activities include civic service, recreational programs, and training.  By being a member in this program, we hope to broaden your outlook and understanding of the real world of police work.  We will provide a sound foundation for those who wish to pursue a career in the rewarding field of law enforcement.

 

Meetings are held the 1st, 3rd and 5th Monday of every month from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. 

 

TRAINING

An Explorer has the opportunity to learn every aspect of law enforcement investigation to include:

  • Patrol Procedures
  • Traffic Stops
  • Arrest Techniques
  • Crime Scene Investigation
  • Firearms Safety
  • Traffic Control
  • Search and Seizure
  • Crime Prevention
  • First Aid
  • Fingerprinting

RIDE ALONG PROGRAM

Once an explorer reaches the age of 18, he or she can ride as an observer with uniformed deputies and specialized units.

 

COMPETITIONS

Explorer Post 2061 attends competitions with other law enforcement explorer posts at the state and national levels.  These competitions are in conjunction with the Florida Sheriff’s Office Explorers Association and the National Law Enforcement Explorer Conference.  These competitions include traffic stops, search and arrest, crime scene investigations, first aid, and crime prevention exercises.

For more information on this exciting program please contact the Explorer Program Senior Advisor, Cpl. Justin Age at (407) 254-7265 or [email protected].

          

Teen Driver Challenge

 

Teen Driver Challenge

The Orange County Sheriff's Office recognizes the importance of driver safety, especially for young drivers. We are pleased to partner with the Florida Sheriff's Association to offer the Teen Driver Challenge to young drivers in Central Florida.

For Course information and how to register click here.

If you have further questions about registration or the Teen Driver program, please contact the OCSO LEVO Unit at [email protected].

Police Athletic League (P.A.L.)

The Orange County Police Athletic League is a juvenile crime prevention organization in which law enforcement officers utilize athletic and recreational activities to influence youngsters to avoid the temptations of crime, drugs and violence. Through its sports and educational programs P.A.L. encourages children to become law-abiding citizens. Orange County P.A.L. relies on volunteers for the success of its programs. Volunteers serve as coaches, officials, scorekeepers, mentors and chaperones. P.A.L. actively seeks the support of law enforcement officers and civilian volunteers to fulfill its mission of filling playgrounds, not prisons. 
 

To learn more about this program. please contact the P.A.L. Coordinator, Deputy Maurice Crum at (321) 228-0642 or ocsopal.com.

 

The Orange County Cop Shop is a retail store located in the North Lobby of the Sheriff's Office Central Operations Complex at 2500 West Colonial Drive.  The Cop Shop provides a variety of unique items for purchase. All proceeds are used to help fund the Police Athletic League programs.  The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Stop by the store and check out all it has to offer.