Some Police Explorers programs have resumed to provide young men and women an introduction to a career in law enforcement. It's another tool to inspire future recruits as some police agencies across the state are currently facing staffing shortages.

Across the state, the Rochester Police Department is looking to hire 81 officers, the Syracuse Police Department has 46 positions open and the Albany County Sheriff's Office says it has some two dozen jobs available.

It's because of those job openings that the Ogden Police Department in Monroe County is bringing back its explorers program for the first time in some 30 years.

Marc Lawrence will admit he wasn't sure what he wanted to be when he grew up. He went to college and got a degree in graphic design, but once he landed that desk job, he knew it wasn't for him so he really switched things up and became a police officer.

"You are constantly changing your scenario," said Lawrence. "You are constantly changing your mindset and you have to be on your toes. That’s one of the best things about this job is there’s no repeat of every day."

His team, the Ogden Police Department, is fully staffed, but Lawrence wants to help his department reconnect with teens in the community. He's leading the Explorers Program that hasn't been around since the 1990s. Explorers get a behind-the-scenes learning experience from ride-alongs to evidence collecting, firearm safety and the booking process.

“When someone is arrested, they have to stand here looking at the camera and the lights come on and this is the background," explained Lawrence as he showed us around the police department.

Twenty five 9th through 12th graders signed up for the Explorers first informational meeting. Some are currently enrolled in criminal justice in high school.

“I have always wanted to join law enforcement, ever since I was little," said Ariel Travis, a high school junior. "So I am really into trying things that will help me gain more experience, and I feel like this program will help me in that."

"I was in a police explorers program out in Lockport and when I moved, I really missed the program. So I happy to get another opportunity at it here," said Logan Feszczyszyn, a high school junior.

Police Chief Travis Gray was once an explorer for the fire department. He always knew he'd be in uniform one day, he just wasn't sure which one.

“This is really beneficial for kids because they get to stand with us and see what we do and learn some of our policies and procedures and just get a general education on law enforcement in general and to see if that something that they would like to pursue it after they graduate from high school,” said Chief Gray.

There are active Police Explorer programs in communities across the state. Students interested are encouraged to check it out.