The Stoughton Police Department ran the Explorer program for about 15 years, but could only locate a single one-year agreement with Learning for Life, the Scouting affiliate that oversees the national Explorer program. The Stoughton Explorer program ended in 2016, and the department has not found any agreements with Learning for Life or the Boy Scouts for the other years the program was active.
1999 Joined the Stoughton Police Department and started volunteering with Explorers Program run by Stoughton PD.
2001-2004 Devine served as school resource officer
2002 Robert Devine was ordered to run the Explorers Program by the Former Chief Cachopa
2003 Robert Devine along with Roger Hardy Opened a Gym at the O’Donnell Middle School. “We started this to give kids something to do,” said Devine. “It’s working out real well.” With permission from the school department, Devine and Hardy open the gymnasium free of charge to teens from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. ‘We play basketball, hockey, whatever the kids want,” said De- vine. “It helps us maintain a relationship with the kids.” The program, which opened in mid-July, and scheduled to end Aug. 14
Devine invited former Explorers, Matthew Farwell and his twin brother, William, to serve as guest instructors. The Explorers, a co-ed branch of the Boy Scouts, is designed for older teens and often centers on specific fields like law enforcement. Matthew Farwell and his twin brother, William were former Explorers, They joined the same program in September 1997, when Matthew and William Farwell were 12 years old. Farwell brothers were known to have disciplinary issues while attending school.
Billy has volunteered with the Stoughton Police Explorers program with which he grew up. William Farwell was designated a the rank of Lieutenant within Explorer Program.
He has assisted Stoughton Police Executive Officer Robert Devine with the running of the annual academy, bringing in Army EOD equipment so the kids could try on a bomb suit or drive one of the robots.
Devine said, “All were in the very first Explorers class 11 years ago. It means a lot to have one of the men in our department. They grew up right before my eyes. If we played even a small part in their success, I’m proud of that.” Devine added, “They’ve donated their time as physical and drill instructors, and they also taught an explosives class. They bring in bomb robots, blast jackets and shields. They are very good at what they do.”
The Stoughton Police Department ran the Explorer program for about 15 years, but could only locate a single one-year agreement with Learning for Life, the Scouting affiliate that oversees the national Explorer program.
Robert C. Devine has led the Stoughton Police Explorers Program since 2003, a youth initiative under the department. The
agreement, signed by Devine in 2010, required the department to encourage officers to take Youth Protection Training and undergo an annual evaluation by Learning for Life. However, the department has not found any records indicating
that any officers involved in the program completed the training, nor were any records of evaluations located.
2011 Police Explorers Staughton
Robert C. Devine has led the Stoughton Police Explorers Program since 2003, a youth initiative under the department. Devine invited former Explorers, Matthew Farwell and his twin brother, William, to serve as guest instructors. The Explorers, a co-ed branch of the Boy Scouts, is designed for older teens and often centers on specific fields like law enforcement. While the program existed before Devine became an advisor, it was struggling with low attendance and enthusiasm. To revive interest, Devine surveyed the members, proposing a mock police academy. Initially, the Explorer post had just five participants, but after promoting the academy, the number increased to 14. By 2011, the program was attracting 25 to 30 kids annually. The post met year-round, with the academy running from March to June, two nights a week.
Police Explorers Staughton
Robert C. Devine, led the department’s youth program since 2003, the Stoughton Police Explorers Program. Robert Devine brought in former Explorers Matthew Farwell and his twin brother, William, as guest instructors.
September 1998 Matthew and William Farwell joined Police Explorers Program, they were 12 years old. Farwell brothers were known to have disciplinary issues while attending school.
In 2003 Robert Devine brought in former Explorers Matthew Farwell and his twin brother, William, as guest instructors. Later that year William Farwell was designated a the rank of Lieutenant within Explorer Program.
Billy has volunteered with the Stoughton Police Explorers program with which he grew up.
He has assisted Stoughton Police Executive Officer Robert Devine with the running of the annual academy, bringing in Army EOD equipment so the kids could try on a bomb suit or drive one of the robots.
Devine said, “All three were in the very first Explorers class 11 years ago. It means a lot to have one of the men in our department. They grew up right before my eyes. If we played even a small part in their success, I’m proud of that.”
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- December 9, 2013, the Stoughton Police Department posted a photo on their official Facebook page
2011-2012
Youth Explorer Program
The Civilian Youth Explorers Program is for motivated teens with a cut off age of 21. It is a ten week, physically and mentally demanding program based loosely on an actual police academy experience. Graduates of the program are eligible for department ride-along during the summer months. The primary purpose is to give the youth of Stoughton and surrounding towns an activity where they are occupied during high risk times of the day and to have non-confrontational interactions with Stoughton Police Officers. The program is geared toward young people with an interest in policing, medical, fire service, military service, or a desire to serve their community.
2014
Come and learn crucial life skills that will serve you well into adulthood. The Police Explorers academy is a demanding ten week course that covers the following:
- Physical Fitness
- Police Customs and Courtesies
- CPR Certification
- Self Defense
- Criminal, Constitutional, Motor Vehicle Law
- Drug Awareness
- The Court System
- K-9 Demonstrations
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Much More!
Orientation and sign ups for the 2014 Explorers Academy will be on March 27U| at 5:00 PM at the Stoughton Police Station.
The Academy is for motivated teens with a cut off age of 21 and will take place Wednesdays and Thursdays- at 5:30 PM starting on April 2nd Graduates will be eligible for the department ride-along program during file summer months. The program is geared toward young people with an interest in policing, medical, fire service, military service, or a desire to serve your community.
