"We move as one; we move as a team"
Explorers 2018 Academy Before & After
Monterey County Sheriff's Office Explorer Post 511 offers young men and women, aged 14-21 and having graduated the 8th grade, the opportunity to gain firsthand experience working with law enforcement. The program is designed to bring together young adults interested in law enforcement careers, and help them build character and leadership skills. As an Explorer in our post, you can enjoy:
- Networking with young adults from throughout our communities
- An Explorer uniform
- Team-building events
- Ride-alongs
- Law enforcement training
- Learn to take direction and Chain of Command
- Working special events
- Participation in undercover tobacco decoy projects with MCSO deputies
- Earning community service hours
- Developing leadership skill
- Attendance to the annual live-in Law Enforcement Explorer Academy
- And more!
Meet The Explorer Sergeant And Advisory Staff
Jason Smith
MCSO Explorer Post Advisor
Commander Jason Smith grew up on the Monterey Peninsula, and was himself an MCSO Explorer in 1989, before attending the police academy in 1997. He started as a deputy in the Monterey County Jail in 1998 before being transferred to patrol in 2001. Commander Smith has an extensive and diverse spectrum of experience, to include working patrol out of all 3 stations, being assigned to the Mobile Field Force and SWAT, working as a Field Training Officer, and as a K9 unit with his partner, “Jack”. Commander Smith has also taught EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations), defensive tactics, drug abuse recognition, and is a Taser and baton instructor.
Commander Smith is currently assigned to the Community Services Division, overseeing the marijuana enforcement team, tobacco sales enforcement, and vehicle abatement, as well as coordination of the special events (the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Sea Otter Classic, etc) that are enjoyed by thousands of people yearly. Commander Smith also jumped at the chance to revive the Explorer Post in 2016, and has seen it almost triple in size and dedication.
When Commander Smith has spare time, he enjoys home projects, hunting, fishing, hiking, and barbecuing with his family.
James Day
MCSO Explorer Associate Advisor
Deputy James Day worked as a Correctional Officer for 6 years at the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office. While at San Benito County, Deputy Day also took on additional duties as an Explorer Advisor for three years.
In 2013, Deputy Day joined Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and has been serving the MCSO community ever since. He has served in the Corrections and Enforcement Bureau. He has served as a Field Training Office and Tactical Flight Officer. He is currently a member of SWAT Team and is a Taser instructor.
Deputy Day’s current assignment is Tobacco Enforcement Deputy. He is responsible for the daily operations of the agency charged with enforcing the laws and regulations related to Tobacco.
Lance Haar
MCSO Explorer Associate Advisor
Lance been employed by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office since July 2009 and currently holds the position of Vehicle Maintenance Coordinator. He has also been an Explorer Adviser since August 2017. Before joining MCSO, Lance and his wife owned businesses in the construction and fast food industries, and he was also employed by Merced Union High School District for 13 years as Shop Forman for their Transportation Department. Lance’s favorite part of being an Explorer Adviser is watching the Explorers develop into productive young adults, and then promoting to Junior Explorer Leaders themselves.
Lance has been happily married to his wife Lisa for 34 years, and they have 2 children, and 5 grandchildren.