Recently I came across an article about the Boy Scouts of America. They are offering a new badge for the law enforcement exploring program. Scouts are learning about antiterrorism tactics. It seems these young boys and a few girls here and there are learning how to raid marijuana fields, use weapons to liberate hostages, and even deal with a gunman on a university campus.
Is it just me, or did the Boy Scouts just take a turn into local, state, and federal law enforcement territory? There is a hierarchy of law enforcement that does not include the Boy Scouts of America. Even two equivalent local agencies have to sign a mutual-aid agreement to act in each other's jurisdictions. These scouts are only supposed to use this training during supervised activities. In fairness, the Learning for Life organization does express its frustration with the way the Law Enforcement program was portrayed.
There is a place for mentoring or teaching some of the skills of law enforcement. I can see where visiting offices, jails, precincts, and border stations could be useful teaching tools, but have you ever encountered the rent-a-cop who is way too serious about his authority? Have you encountered the community crime patrol attempting to arrest and detain someone without the legal right afforded a peace officer?
This seems problematic on so many levels. It makes sense that personal safety should be learned. Self-defense is good. Self-awareness and awareness of one's surroundings is important. Helping people in need is a terrific character attribute for a fine young man, but hostage rescue?
Maybe I am missing something, but these are boys as young as 14. Even the high end of the age spectrum is 21 years of age. Impulsiveness and the delusion that one will live forever is part of the reason we all pay high car insurance premiums, right? It will never happen to me. I am immune from the gunman's bullets. It's the stuff of comic books.
Have you been to a college campus lately? Who are we kidding? Most part-time jobs require the 18-year-old to run the fry maker or the meat slicer. Many of these kids torment their younger siblings in the back seat of the family SUV - and we’re training them for hostage negotiation?
All levels of law enforcement spend years — even decades — training, retraining, certifying, qualifying, and becoming better at their jobs. They train and work every day at great peril and personal risk. They are also entrusted with public safety. At the end of the day, they are authorized to use deadly force, if necessary, to save the life of an innocent, the lives of fellow officers, or his or her own life.
Article comments
1 - Clavos
I think you are creating a tempest in a teapot. By your own admission, these are Explorer Scouts, whose ages range from 14 to 21. These are not "children," they are adolescents, and at the upper age of 21, they are nearing the lowest age of active duty law enforcement personnel.
You allude to the immaturity of many American adolescents. This is one of the things Scouting addresses by teaching youths values and skills which will stand them in good stead throughout their lives.
2 - In2it
Scouting helps boys explore different areas, activities and interests in life. It gives boys experience and opportunities that they cannot get anywhere else. I have a 17 year old that will probably be a cop or fire-fighter/paramedic. I know he would love this! My younger son, probably not. It's another program created to interest young men/teenagers to help them become better citizens, and if needed, solders. It’s not for everyone, just like basket weaving isn’t for everyone. The COR, if you don’t know what a COR is you shouldn’t be criticizing BSA policy but get involved with the program and find out what it is really about, anyways the COR should know his crew and what their interests are and what is and isn’t appropriate for the crew.
A few months ago my family and I watched/participated in a “live fire” simulated SWAT assault, with real “flash bangs”, real M-4s and real bullets. We were the hostages (in bullet proof vests and full protective gear) and not the ones firing 5.56s. It was awesome! We learned a lot about law enforcement and have gained a greater respect for what law enforcement and our bothers in arms do as their chosen careers. Would this have been something our COR would have signed off for the crew? No, probably not. But it’s a program, a tool, that can be used to generate interest in a career that is worthy of our respect.