A Legacy of Serving Communities
By Staff Writer, National Office of Development
Edited by Meredith Lopez
On July 24, 2025, Kyle Lauer and Chris Jones graduated from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Academy. But these two young men weren’t just any academy graduates: they both also graduated from the Exploring program at Law Enforcement Exploring Post 9269, which they credit for nurturing their interests and guiding their career paths toward a life of service to their community.
As it celebrates 50 years of shaping future leaders, Post 9269 is a shining example of how Exploring continues to guide young leaders to meaningful career opportunities, making their communities safer and stronger. The Greater St. Louis Area Council operates Scouting’s third largest Exploring program, providing a strong foundation for area youth to explore opportunities to shape their lives after school through the program’s core tenets: career opportunities, character development, life skills, leadership experience, and citizenship. With five decades of celebrating its young adults as they begin their careers, this year is a uniquely special milestone, one that honors the many generations that have answered the call to serve.
Individual Journeys Ignite a Passion to Serve
While Post 9269’s roots run deep, each Explorer comes to the program with their own unique background. Coming from a family with a strong law enforcement tradition and a parent serving as an officer, Kyle joined the program as a Junior Explorer at age 12 with an active interest in the profession.
“My dad … showed me the ways in which police officers are out there to do good for the community,” Kyle recalls. “Being in law enforcement isn’t just a job; it’s about protecting and serving. Seeing that early on solidified my decision to follow the same path in law enforcement that my family has forged for decades.”
Chris’s journey began with a very different experience: “When my family’s home was broken into, the police officers who responded brought a sense of calm from intrusion and chaos,” he says. “Being part of that process drew me in.” Chris had previously been interested in firefighting, but he was drawn to a different kind of public service in action and joined the Post at age 14.
Exploring Inspires Real-World Confidence
The years spent in Exploring were a time of intensive, frontline experience for both Kyle and Chris, and they credit their success in the police academy to their early exposure to a law enforcement career. A core experience was the Post’s annual weeklong Exploring Academy, where participants were immersed in the day-to-day realities of police training.
Kyle recalls that this experience helped him learn to apply practical job skills, from administrative work to managing job related strain. Experiencing the stress of an officer firsthand was a challenge: “You need to develop skills and techniques to learn how to control and use stress as a tool, and to stay calm.”
Exploring also provided opportunities for Kyle, Chris, to attend large annual gatherings and competitions. A two-day event in Topeka, Kansas, featured dozens of real-world scenarios for Explorers, including crime investigations, active shooter responses, and hostage negotiations. Additionally, Explorers can participate in Winterfest, an annual event for Scouting America programs’ older youth, like Venturing, Sea Scouts, and Scouts BSA. At Winterfest, these Scouts from across the country can participate in nearly 100 competitions, training sessions, and activities that build leadership, teamwork, and a shared commitment to Scouting values.
These intensive training and skills building opportunities provided a strong foundation for Kyle and Chris’ seven months at the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Academy. For Chris, the transition to the police academy was a testament to the program’s value. His advice to future Explorers: “Take everything you learn in the program and apply it. Stay in the program as long as you can and learn from the adult advisors to help you accomplish what you want to be.”
Kyle agreed and emphasized the importance of developing people skills, which he believes are central to being both a trusted police officer and a good member of the community. As they embark on field training, both young men look forward to putting these lessons into practice.
Mentorship Creates Lifelong Impact
The Post’s legacy extends far beyond its newest graduates: other staff at the St. Louis Metropolitan Police are also graduates of the program. Their journeys show how the program can inspire diverse paths within the broader public service community.
Both Kyle and Chris also understand the importance of giving back to the program that shaped them and have served as adult advisors. They plan to continue mentoring other Explorers as they continue their careers, and this commitment from the next generation ensures a continuous cycle of servant leadership and strong community connections.
As Law Enforcement Exploring Post 9269 celebrates 50 years of shaping futures, its profound impact on individuals and the community stands as one of hundreds of powerful success stories across the nation. The Post’s ongoing commitment to developing future leaders ensures that skilled, passionate individuals will continue to serve, protect, and uplift the St. Louis area well into the future.
Additional Materials
Greater St. Louis Area Scouting. (2024). 2024 Annual Report. https://stlbsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/BSA_AR_2024_v11.pdf
References
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Police Explorers – St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Published July 9, 2024. https://slmpd.org/recruitment/police-explorers/
Scouting America. Youth Protection | Scouting America. Published July 1, 2025. https://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/