The City of Pembroke Pines Police Department is committed to serving the youth of Pembroke Pines, as evidenced by the proactive programs developed and instituted for the youth of the City. The goal of the department is to reach young people from many different backgrounds and with many different needs. The department wants to aid the at-risk youth as well as provide programs for those not at risk.

Police Explorer Program

The Police Explorer Program, which is chartered under the Boy Scouts of America, meets every Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. at police headquarters. This program is committed to educating youth about careers in law enforcement. 

Our Explorer Post presents an eighty (80) hour academy that is attended by youth from Broward and Miami-Dade County Explorer Posts. This program has recently been instrumental in state and national Explorer Conferences. The Department commits four officers and a supervisor to this program, which currently has twenty-five (25) active members.



S.R.O./D.A.R.E.

The Pembroke Pines Police Department provides instructional blocks in our community's elementary school level, middle schools and high schools. Among programs currently in existence are the S.R.O. (School Resource Officer) and D.A.R.E. (Drug Awareness & Resistance Education). 14 officers currently administer these programs. 

S.R.O.s are role models and mentors in the schools and D.A.R.E. officers teach our youth about the dangers and consequences of drug use. Schools are the only place where youth between the ages of five and eighteen can be found in large numbers. Further, schools are the gathering place for youth from all kinds of diverse backgrounds, as well as the place where they develop their thinking. 

Where better to provide a high profile Police Department involvement than in our school system? 



P.A.S.S.

P.A.S.S.- Pines Alternative To School Suspension Program

The P.A.S.S Program is an alternative to suspension. In lieu of off-campus suspensions, students can contract to enter into the Suspension Abeyance Program and remain on a separate area of school property, away from the other school population. 

Students will have the opportunity to receive academic instruction, counseling services, and personal enrichment, and will be given the opportunity to improve grades and attendance. The program is a partnership between Broward County Schools and the City of Pembroke Pines Police Department, targeting those students who are suspended from school.

The Mentoring Program
The Problem of "at-risk" students and school dropouts does not only affect the schools. It is a problem that reaches into the labor market, the social services network, and many other facets of our community. Consequences for these students include unemployment or underemployment, limited mobility, and, in some cases, a life of functional illiteracy. 

There are as many reasons for dropping out as there are students. Among the most common are absenteeism, family and personal problems, feelings of alienation, financial pressures, substance abuse, and lack of educational success. Research indicates that many students at risk of dropping out of school and of life benefit from a positive adult role model other than a family member. 

Youth Mentors become big sisters/brothers, personal cheerleaders, and guides. The most important role will be to become a friend to the student. The goal of the Youth Mentoring Program is to involve community and business volunteers in ongoing efforts to promote the value of education and to increase graduation rates in Florida and Broward County. 

All Youth Mentors must attend a training session conducted by the School District staff and undergo a background check before being placed with a student. The Mentor works with an identified, at-risk student one-to-one for one hour a week during the school day for at least one semester. The role of the Mentor is multi-faceted. 

As a role model, tutor, and listener, the Mentor gives positive reinforcement, raises self-esteem, and promotes the value of education. It is the goal of the Mentor Program to provide as many Motivators as possible to students in an on-going effort to reduce the dropout rate in our schools.