LAW ENFORCEMENT SEAL HISTORY

Each symbol and color in the National Law Enforcement Explorers seal has special significance.

• The circular form of the seal represents continuous existence.
• The dominant blue field represents justice.
• The inner circle contains a shield surmounted by an eagle. The eagle spread across the top represents the national coverage of Law Enforcement Exploring. The shield itself stands for the unified strength in its membership and is composed of four quadrants, each with a particular meaning of its own.
  1. The flag represents the principles of democracy for which this country stands and which law enforcement is sworn to uphold. The beginnings of these principles are acknowledged by the 13 stars, which represent the original colonies.
  2. The badge in the upper right-hand corner of the shield is typically associated with municipal police departments.
  3. Opposite this is a seven-pointed star, symbolic of county sheriffs' departments. Both municipal police departments and county sheriffs' departments are major sponsors of Law Enforcement Explorer posts. Each is set on a field of white divided by horizontal and vertical lines. Each division represents the individual department that together forms the backbone of law and order in our society.
  4. The lower right-hand corner of the shield contains a torch in a dark background connected to three stars in a light background. The torch is symbolic of the guiding light shown on the profession through the aid of the sponsor. This light illuminates the stars of truth, knowledge, and integrity-three qualities that all Explorers should strive for in the law enforcement profession.
• Finally, the "Big E," which symbolizes unity of purpose under the Exploring program, connects the four quadrants in the shield.

The first national Explorer chair, Kent A. Jefferies, designed the first seal for the National Association of Law Enforcement Explorers on July 12, 1973. It was presented before the delegates of the association's first business meeting held in conjunction with the 1974 National Explorer Presidents' Congress and was adopted as the association's official seal. With the dissolution of the association in 1981, the outer border was modified to its present form. Having received the approval of the national Exploring Committee, the seal was given publicity and produced in mass quantities. It is available through your local Learning for Life representative.