In recognition of his outstanding service and dedication, North Royalton High School student Kees Driesen has been named the 2023-24 Explorer of the Year for Cleveland Police Explorer Post #7. Driesen's commitment to community service has been exemplary, dedicating his Saturdays and additional time over the past two years to serve the Cleveland community.
The Police Law Enforcement Explorers program, which trains young adults in various aspects of law enforcement, recently celebrated the accomplishments of these Explorers on October 26. As part of their comprehensive training, Explorers like Driesen participated in intensive scenarios including "Officer Down" situations, CPR certification, and traffic stop procedures. The program is for individuals ages 14-20. In addition to doing police training, the Explorers also do a lot of volunteer work and attend community events. They support a Christmas gift handout at Tower City, Trunk or Treat events, hand out school supplies to children in the city of Cleveland, and participate in bike-a-thons and local Golden Glove events. Driesen plans to continue with the program.
Driesen's selection as Explorer of the Year reflects his embodiment of the program's core values: pride, respect, integrity, and positivity. His dedication to the program involved numerous volunteer hours and consistent participation in training exercises designed to prepare young adults for careers in public safety. Inside the ceremony program, a page was devoted to Driesen and said, “Kees is an exceptional young individual who demonstrates remarkable dedication and diligence in his work within our program. He has established himself as an integral member of our team, and we anticipate significant achievements fromKees as he progresses in both his education and personal life.” As part of the recognition, Driesen won a bike.
"The journey has just begun—keep reaching for excellence!" program leaders shared during the recent ceremony, acknowledging the support of advisors, families, and community members who have helped guide these young leaders toward their goals in public service.
“I really like the Explorer program and think it is good for anyone who may be interested in law enforcement,” said Driesen. He said he enjoys doing scenario training and feels some of the lessons he learns in training, like how to deal with difficult and high-pressure situations, can also be applied to life.
Driesen also recently joined the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Explorers program Post #701. Both of these programs are sponsored by the Cleveland Police Athletic League.
