Mount Pleasant Police Department Launches Community Outreach Program

The Mount Pleasant Police Department has launched new and expanded community outreach programs in 2025, focusing on youth engagement, education, and broad public participation in safety initiatives.

Key Outreach Initiatives

Explorer Program: This signature program is designed for young people aged 15–20 (or 14 if they have completed 8th grade). It mixes police career exploration with hands-on community service, including event support and law enforcement skills competitions. The goal is to build leadership, responsibility, and teamwork through direct interaction with officers and community projects.

Youth Police Academy: The department now offers a weeklong summer academy providing local youth the chance to engage with police, learn about law enforcement work, and participate in interactive crime-fighting and safety exercises.

Citizen Police Academy: Mount Pleasant continues its long-running, multi-week course for adults, demystifying law enforcement by opening its doors for public tours, demonstrations, and Q&A. Participants learn first-hand from SWAT teams, K-9 units, and other divisions, fostering transparency and turning graduates into community ambassadors.

Community Events and Partnerships: Officers regularly support town events such as the Cooper River Bridge Run, Independence Day festivities, and holiday parades, often with Explorer Program participants assisting in crowd and traffic management. The department also partners with organizations like Special Olympics SC and hosts events like drug take-back days to further promote safety and inclusion.

Impact and Goals

These outreach efforts are designed to strengthen positive relations between police and the public, educate residents on crime prevention and safety, and create a pipeline for local youth interested in policing careers.

The department aims to be visible, accessible, and proactive in addressing community concerns, with open lines for feedback and participation in policing strategies.

Mount Pleasant’s approach in 2025 blends youth programs, educational outreach, high community visibility, and collaborative events—helping foster trust and safety across the town.

SOURCES

[1](https://www.tompsc.com/1478/Police-Explorers-Program)
[2](https://www.masc.sc/uptown/02-2022/training-opportunities-help-police-fire-reach-out)
[3](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mountpleasantpolice)
[4](https://www.instagram.com/p/DJHh8RozBqb/?hl=en)
[5](https://www.tompsc.com/166/Police)