Youth Opportunities
Teen Academy
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Teen Academy is for students between the ages of 13 to 17. This FREE week-long academy is held during the summer vacation and is from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Snacks will be provided. Students must bring their own lunch.Â
As a student of the Teen Academy, you will gain a knowledge and understanding of the functions and responsibilities of the various roles within the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. This highly interactive academy discusses many safety topics that teens face such as bulling, dating, truancy, and social media. The academy also gives an overview of deputy training, criminal investigations, community policing, specialty units, operational services, special operations, and court services.Â
The Teen Academy offers field trips which enable the students to tour OCSO facilities, such as the Communications Center, Aviation Hanger, Crime Scene/Forensics Lab, and the Mounted Stables.
To become a student, you must submit an application through the Orange County Sheriff’s Office website. Applicants must be able to pass a background check to attend the Teen Academy. The background check is required so the student will be able to enter our secure buildings.Â
For more information on these exciting programs,  please contact the Academy Program Coordinator at (407) 254-7320 or ocsoacademies@ocsofl.com.
Explorers
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program is designed for youth (ages 14-21) interested in law enforcement. You must be between the ages of 14 and 18 to apply. The primary functions of the Explorer Program is to assist the Sheriff’s Office through community service projects while learning about the many aspects of the criminal justice system. Explorer activities include civic service, recreational programs, and training. By being a member in this program, we hope to broaden your outlook and provide a sound foundation for those who wish to pursue a career in the rewarding field of law enforcement.
Meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.Â
TRAINING
An Explorer has the opportunity to learn every aspect of law enforcement investigation to include:
- Patrol Procedures
- Traffic Stops
- Arrest Techniques
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Firearms Safety
- Traffic Control
- Search and Seizure
- Crime Prevention
- First Aid
- Fingerprinting
RIDE ALONG PROGRAM
Once an explorer reaches the age of 18, he or she can ride as an observer with uniformed deputies and specialized units.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMNT
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Explorer post assists with a wide variety of agency events throughout the year. Community events including the Summer Safety Splash, Rockin’ and Reelin’, Sheriff’s BBQ’s, the Turkey Drive and many more! Each event, detail, and training will count towards community service/volunteer hours. Â
For more information on this exciting program please contact the Explorer Program Coordinator, Tasha Harwick, at
(407) 446-0548 or tasha.harwick@ocsofl.com.
Teen Driver Challenge
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the importance of driver safety, especially for young drivers. We are pleased to partner with the Florida Sheriff’s Association to offer the Teen Driver Challenge to young drivers in Central Florida.
Course Overview
This 8-hour defensive driving course will provide teen drivers with the knowledge and hands-on experience to reduce the chances of being involved in a crash. The course is open to drivers between the ages of 15 and 19 that have held a valid Learner’s Permit or Florida Operators License for at least six months. All drivers must provide their own vehicles.
Classroom Instruction
Students will cover the following topics in a classroom setting:
- Teen crash facts
- Knowing your vehicle
- Using your senses
- Vehicle dynamics
- Safe driving habits
- Alcohol and driving
- Aggressive driving
- Driving Exercises
Practical Instruction
Students will participate in a driving class that covers the following driving skills:
- Figure 8
- Threshold/Emergency braking
- Backing
- Cornering
- Forward serpentine
- Reverse serpentine
- Off-road recovery
- Evasive maneuvers
- Skid recovery
How to Register
Submissions of interest for Teen Driver classes opens 45 days prior to the first listed class date and each session closes 25 days prior to the start of the session. Each class can accept a total of 12 students. A submission of interest does not automatically register the candidate.
The registration session for the upcoming class is full. The next registration session will open back up 45 days before the next session.
Upon submission of interest online, OCSO staff will review your submission and accepted candidates will be e-mailed a registration packet. No seat will be reserved without a completed registration packet (includes a copy of the vehicle registration, insurance, and driver’s license and signed and notarized waiver and liability forms). Due to the demand of this course we do require a $50 refundable deposit to hold a seat for the class. The participant will then return the completed forms along with a $50 deposit. Only those with completed packets will be placed on the list. Please note that your seat in the class will not be confirmed until the forms are returned to OCSO. Deposit checks are returned during the classroom portion of the course. If your student does not attend, the check will become a donation to provide materials for future classes.
If you have further questions about registration or the Teen Driver program, please contact the OCSO LEVO Unit at LEVO-OCSO@ocsofl.com.
Police Athletic League (P.A.L.)
The Orange County Police Athletic League is a juvenile crime prevention organization in which law enforcement officers utilize athletic and recreational activities to influence youngsters to avoid the temptations of crime, drugs and violence. Through its sports and educational programs P.A.L. encourages children to become law-abiding citizens. Orange County P.A.L. relies on volunteers for the success of its programs. Volunteers serve as coaches, officials, scorekeepers, mentors and chaperones. P.A.L. actively seeks the support of law enforcement officers and civilian volunteers to fulfill its mission of filling playgrounds, not prisons. Â
To learn more about this program. please contact the P.A.L. Coordinator, Deputy Maurice Crum at (321) 228-0642 or ocsopal.com.
The Orange County Cop Shop is a retail store located in the North Lobby of the Sheriff’s Office Central Operations Complex at 2500 West Colonial Drive. The Cop Shop provides a variety of unique items for purchase. All proceeds are used to help fund the Police Athletic League programs. The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Stop by the store and check out all it has to offer.Â
