Joplin Police Cadets #164 - Explorers

04/18/2025

We are so happy that Officer Tim Nielson's name and legacy continues in this program, and in our community! Never forgotten. #240

05/09/2024

Today former Cadet Corporal Alex Hopper (middle) graduated from the Missouri Southern State University Police Academy. Alex started his career with us in 2021 and left at the end of 2023, taking a position with the Joplin Police Department as a Police Officer.

Congratulations to Officer Hopper!

Officer Hopper was asked what he’d tell a young adult who has an interest in law enforcement? He said “I would tell young people interested in law enforcement to invest in themselves. Do programs to get them out in the world. Become a police explorer. Work out. Educate yourself, and look towards people in this career who want to guide you to do good. Be disciplined in everything you do, and seek this job with purpose.”

He was also asked what he is looking forward to the most in his career? He said, “I am looking forward to representing this badge and bettering my community while also upholding the constitution and protecting peoples rights. While doing so, I also want to become the best version of myself. become stronger, become more knowledgeable. But most importantly, become somebody people can look up to for guidance, for help, for anything.”

12/15/2023

Today your local Joplin Police Explorers attended the Missouri Southern Police Academy graduation. Former Explorer and now Officer Velazquez graduated today! Officer Velazquez joined the Explorer post in 2017, where he spent 5 years in the post, before starting in the Joplin City Jail, where he worked for less than a year before getting hired with the Joplin Police Department as a Patrol Officer.

Officer Velazquez was asked what he would tell a young adult that’s interested in a career in law enforcement.

He said: The Explorer program gave me a foot in the door to many opportunities that I am very thankful for! Being around the Joplin Police Department at a young age everyone wished nothing but to watch me succeed in this career field to which I am grateful! I’ve met some amazing people along the way and overcame challenges time and time again but I was driven to pursue a career in law enforcement and I encouraged anyone who is interested in law enforcement to take the opportunity and go out and make a difference.

Officer Velazquez was also asked what he is looking forward to the most in his career, he said, One thing I am looking forward to into my career is to be able to make a difference in someone’s life for the better and ensuring the safety of my community, Joplin has always been home and I am looking forward to be able to help the community I grew up in.

11/03/2023

Congratulations to our head post advisor! He does a lot of behind the scenes that is needed to keep our post running, he was an explorer for 6 years before being hired, he later took an advisor role, then took over the post as head advisor since 2011!

The other advisors wish him a happy three day retirement, he’s decided to come back and continue to serve as the head advisor!

Today we want to recognize Sergeant Jared Delzell as he reached a major milestone of 20 years of service as an officer for the City of Joplin. Sergeant Delzell retires from Joplin PD today, but has elected to return to continue his duties and service to the citizens of Joplin. We are thankful for his service, commitment, and leadership he has brought, and will continue to bring, to the Joplin Police Department.

Sgt. Jared Delzell began with the Joplin Police Department on November 3rd, 2003, after being a member of the Joplin Police Explorers for six years. During his 20 year career he has worked as a Patrol Officer, Traffic Officer, Major Crash Team Officer, RAPID Team Officer, School Resource Officer and taught DARE and Rise Above in our schools. After being promoted to a supervisory position in 2011 he served as a Patrol Corporal, Internal Affairs Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, Traffic Sergeant, Major Crash Team Sergeant and Watch Commander in the Uniform Operations Bureau.

When speaking about his 20 year career he said “I have been blessed to serve with some of the best individuals in the profession. I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve been afforded, thankful for the Lord’s protection, and thankful for my families support”. I’d also like to express my appreciation for the leadership within the City of Joplin and the FOP for working together to allow officers on the 20 year pension plan to return after retirement and continue to serve. This ability has retained so much knowledge, experience, and training within the city that would have otherwise been appreciated by another community, and Joplin would have missed out. I count myself fortunate to be the first supervisor to have the ability to return after retirement and continue to serve. I’d also like the recognize the families of officers who were lost, both on and off duty in my career. Officer Tim Nielson, Officer David Brewer, Cpl. Ben Cooper, and Officer Jake Reed, who will never get to mark this milestone with their families. Also, Officer Michael Gayman who died after his retirement and had returned to the city. It’s important to me for people to remember them and the roles they played serving our city.

Please join us in congratulating Sergeant Jared Delzell on this great accomplishment!

06/30/2023

Cadets had a great time at the range tonight! They learned about firearm safety, basic nomenclature, fundamentals, and had a friendly target competition!

02/03/2023

Many public safety organizations join with Public Safety Cadets to lead youth-oriented programs geared to their discipline.
https://www.facebook.com/PublicSafetyCadets

PSC prepares young adults for careers and leadership in public safety through education, hands-on training, and mentorship from professionals.

08/03/2021

Tonight the Explorers are helping the Police Department with National Night Out! National Night Out helps bridge the gap between the Police Department and the community! Come on out to Schifferdecker Park and take part of this great event!

05/03/2021

The Joplin Police Explorers Post 164 is looking for young men and women that are interested in law enforcement to join the post.

The Joplin Police Explorer post 164 accepts men and women from the age of 14 years old to 21 years old.

This post teaches young adults the ins and outs of law enforcement as well as teaching them leadership and great life skills.

The Joplin Police Explorer post 164 is operated by the Boy Scout’s of America and the Joplin Police Department.

If you are interested in joining or know of somebody that is interested in joining, please message this page or email [email protected].

09/04/2020

Tonight, explorers went over basic car stop techniques. We ended the night with some fun felony high risk car stops and scenarios.

08/21/2020

Tonight, we tested to fill command staff positions. Xavier and Will were promoted to Corporal and Jordan was promoted to Sergeant.

After promotional testing, we did some basic scenarios in the Defensive Tactics room.

Congratulations!

06/19/2020

Tonight, explorers met at the city’s range and were taught how to run the SWAT obstacle course. All explorers ran the course and were able to pass it! Congratulations to all explorers & thanks for coming out. We had a great time.

06/05/2020

Tonight we say goodbye to Sergeant Ronnie Hopper. He has been with the post for 3 and a half years and has been an asset. Ronnie said “the explorer program has guided me down the path to becoming a veteran and inspired me to do better, always doing my best!”
He is graduating the post to move on to the United States Air Force. We wish him luck and hope he comes back to visit.