Cool Kid Arturo Lima hopes to become police officer

GARDENA, Calif. (KABC) -- Our ABC7 Cool Kid for Thursday, March 12, is Arturo Lima, who is helping other explorer cadets succeed in a police explorers program.

Arturo, 15, is one of the youngest explorers who successfully completed the academy last year.

His family emigrated from El Salvador when he was just 7 years old. After a young life filled with difficulties and challenges, Arturo knew he wanted more.

It was then that a police officer reached out to him and told him about the Gardena Police Department Explorer Program.

Arturo joined and his life and outlook have changed completely.

"In the academy I was taught to manage my time wisely," he said.

Arturo's grades dramatically improved. He is more confident in school and he has impressed his superiors.

"Since he became an explorer he's been at every single event. He's a hard working young man," said Detective Patrick Goodpaster with Gardena police.

Now Arturo is a drill instructor for Post 142, and he was just chosen from thousands to attend a national explorer academy in Washington D.C.

He said his decision to join the explorers program has helped him figure out what he wants to do in the future.

"I want to become a police officer,'" he said.

This Cool Kid said he is grateful to the instructors for all they have taught him, and he just hopes one day he can do the same for someone else.