Explorer Scouts

Every Thursday night, a group of 25 youths walks into the Wilshire Division police station roll-call room, and the officers throw the book at them. It's not the penal code that the youths get hit with, however. It's law enforcement manuals that the group of Explorer Scouts study as part of a Boy Scouts of America program. For some, the police Explorers program is a chance at firsthand exposure to a potential career. For others, it's a way to keep out of trouble.

Faced with the threat of a defamation lawsuit, Los Angeles officials have reached a confidential settlement with a deputy police chief accused of molesting Explorer Scouts that obligates the city to pay his legal defense in lawsuits filed over the alleged sexual misconduct. Los Angeles Police Deputy Chief David J.

Terry Hugus, 19, an Explorer Scout whose ambition was to be a law enforcement officer, was fatally wounded when he tossed a pistol to a fellow Explorer and the gun accidentally went off, Los Angeles County sheriff's investigators said Wednesday. Although the shooting Tuesday night was listed as accidental, the case is still under investigation, a sheriff's spokesman said.

Two days after Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief David Kalish was relieved of duty over allegations that he sexually abused under-age Explorer Scouts, he joined a deferred pension program that boosted his income by more than 60%, The Times has learned. Kalish, one of the LAPD's highest-ranking officers, was put on paid leave March 29 following a five-month investigation into allegations that he had molested teenage Explorer Scouts during the late 1970s.

After hours of anguished debate, the City Council agreed Tuesday to keep its popular 22-year-old Police Explorer program intact, but expressed deep reservations about the group's affiliation with the Boy Scouts of America, which continues to ban gays. The council voted unanimously to establish a task force to lobby the Boy Scouts and urge a change in its position about homosexuals. In addition, council members agreed to explore the idea of setting up a Police Explorer-type program of its own.

The Explorer Scout program of the Los Angeles Fire Department has given Phil Fligiel a view of life unseen by most Chatsworth 17-year-olds. "I've seen people die right in front of me," said Fligiel, who helps fight fires in downtown and South-Central Los Angeles. "I'm constantly seeing shootings and gang fights and stuff like that," he said. "But I've seen them now, and I'm used to it."

Former hostage Tom Murry has spent six years coming to terms with the memories of the 17 days he was held captive by terrorists. On Saturday, as he faced Jackie Scardino, the daughter of American hostage Alann Steen, Murry recounted his captivity and spoke spiritedly of his hopes for the release of the three remaining American hostages held in Lebanon.

Five youths who are current or former Explorer Scouts are under investigation for allegedly stealing more than $20,000 worth of police equipment, officials said Monday. Lt. Richard J. Olson, a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Department, said that Paul B.

The Union of Vietnamese Students Assn. has awarded $1,300 in donations to D.A.R.E., the Police Explorer Scouts and the city's park beautification program. The donations were presented Wednesday at a City Council meeting. The volunteer group of college students used fund-raising proceeds from a Tet festival it hosted in February.

The Police Department is looking for youths 14 to 21 to serve as Explorer Scouts and help the department with crowd control, fingerprinting and other duties. The program is designed to teach young people about police work and help them consider law enforcement careers. Officer Dave Knecht, who coordinates the program, said the volunteer Scouts direct traffic and keep order at area festivals, parades and other public events.

Facing strong public support for the Boy Scouts, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has decided not to drop the Scout-affiliated Explorer police cadet program, a spokesman said Wednesday. Sheriff Lee Baca's decision came after thousands signed petitions supporting the national Scouting organization, which has come under fire for banning gay troop leaders.

The Los Angeles Police Commission on Tuesday turned up the pressure on the Boy Scouts of America over its discrimination against gays and lesbians by signaling it might drop the venerable, Scout-affiliated Explorer police cadet program. The commission called on the national Scouting organization to end its discriminatory practices when its governing board meets in mid-February.

The Union of Vietnamese Students Assn. has awarded $1,300 in donations to D.A.R.E., the Police Explorer Scouts and the city's park beautification program. The donations were presented Wednesday at a City Council meeting. The volunteer group of college students used fund-raising proceeds from a Tet festival it hosted in February.

After a recent Fourth of July fireworks show, 20 teenage police Explorers scoured a city park to look for two lost children, fanning out with flashlights and searching bathroom stalls, trash cans and bushes. "We were really getting worried by 10:30 p.m. or so," said Fernando Miranda, volunteer advisor for the Explorers affiliated with the San Fernando Police Department. "Time was of the essence."

The City Council voted Wednesday to pay $1.4 million to settle a lawsuit by a former LAPD Explorer Scout who alleged she was sexually abused by a police officer at the Northeast station, the first major payout from a scandal that rocked the station in 1998. Pearl Dunlap alleged John Rosales, who was an LAPD Youth Services Officer, "took advantage of his authority and control as a law enforcement officer and unlawfully seduced, sexually abused, assaulted, battered and falsely imprisoned" her.

A 14-year-old Trinity Lutheran School student who allegedly threatened to blow up two classrooms and kill fellow students was charged Wednesday with making a single terrorist threat, police said. The student, who was arrested Monday, was a member of a local Explorer Scout post that trains young men to shoot guns and master army maneuvers, the Explorer advisor said Wednesday.

The Simi Valley Police Department is reviewing its policy toward Explorer Scouts in light of sexual battery charges filed last week against a police officer accused of molesting a female Explorer Scout half his age, police said Friday. Police are considering limiting the amount of time Explorer Scouts spend in the station as well as the amount of time they spend riding in a car with officers, said Lt. Don Austin, chief of detectives.

The Ventura County district attorney's office is investigating an allegation that a Simi Valley policeman had sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl who was an Explorer Scout volunteer, Simi Valley police announced Tuesday. Police officials also are conducting an internal investigation to determine if two other police officers had an improper relationship with the same girl, Sgt. Bob Robbins said. Police did not name the officers or give details of the incidents.

The Police Explorers volunteered time recently to paint over graffiti that has plagued the Huntington Valley Baptist Church and Preschool for the past month. Caltrans donated 30 gallons of paint for the project. Vandals spray-painted graffiti on walls and walkways at the Starfish Avenue church. Three juveniles have been arrested. Police said the investigation is continuing.

For Sylvia Prado, the honorary Explorer's badge given to her Wednesday night by Santa Ana police is a symbol of how far she has come in the nearly eight years since her dreams of becoming a police officer were shattered. Sylvia was left severely disabled after being struck by a car on Feb. 12, 1991. Her injuries were so extensive that doctors predicted she would remain in a vegetative state.