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| 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: |
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1
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The flag represents the principals
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. |
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2
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The badge in the upper right-hand corner of the
shield is typically associated with municipal police departments. |
|
3
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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 as 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
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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 associations first business meeting held
in conjunction with the 1974 National Explorer Presidents Congress
and was adopted as the associations 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. |