Hundreds of youths representing more than three dozen law enforcement agencies in California recently descended on Brentwood's Heritage High School to participate in the annual All-Stars Explorer Challenge.

The Explorers, an offshoot of the Boy Scouts of America, affords male and female youths ages 14-21 the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of law enforcement by training with advising officers, observing officers in action via ride-alongs, and serving their communities with volunteer patrols.

"The BSA is more for teaching values and self-sufficient skills. We do the same thing, but on different levels," explained officer Anthony Bustillos, lead advisor to the Brentwood Explorer post. "We are more vocational; there are a lot of young people who want to become police officers and the Explorers gives them a chance to come in and get a taste of what they're getting into."

Photos by Avi Burk

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