Lemoore Police Department Explorers bring home hardware from state competition

Tuesday, October 10, 2017 - 6:19pm By The Leader Staff

Front: Ryan White, Daniel Bustos, Fabian Cervantez, Adrian Lanuza, Maria Elena Reyes, Mia Guadian. Back: Sgt. Oscar Lucio, Alvaro Ruiz, Vincent Pescatore, Geanna Villegas, Dorian Ecker, Jose Alvarez, Hunter Villegas. (not pictured, Susana Bravo).

The Lemoore Police Department Explorer Post recently attended the Central Coast Law Enforcement Explorer Competition in San Miguel, California this past weekend, joining 12 law-enforcement agencies throughout California.

The 12-member group also brought home a bunch of hardware.

The competition consists of scenario-based calls for service, such as Traffic Stop, domestic violence, DUI, vehicle search, medical emergency, hazardous situations, crisis negotiations, Explorer ride-along scenario, Shooting Skills, oral interview, written examination, etc. There are also field events, including five-man and 10-man tug of war, team and individual obstacle courses and a relay race.

Both male and female explorers compete, most field event teams must be co-ed. The Explorer post consists of youths between the ages of 14 and 21. They train weekly in the several events and attend at least two competitions each year.

This year’s team traveled with 13 Explorers and five advisors – officers or civilian personnel – from the department. Several parents joined the trip in support the Explorers.

The competition consisted of 12 law-enforcement agencies, including CHP (Stockton and Visalia), Hanford Police Department, Anaheim PD, Tulare Co. Sheriff’s Office, San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office, Morgan Hill PD, Guadalupe PD, Atascadero PD, Santa Rosa PD and the Lemoore Police Department.

Lemoore’s Explorers placed in the top five in seven events. Also, one of Lemoore's competitors finished second in the Scholarship competition earning a $1000 award.

Om the scholarship portion of the event, the explorer is required to write an essay describing why they want to continue his or her education in law enforcement, and what they have done up to this point to reach that goal.

The participant also must write a separate essay describing how they will use the funds if chosen. The Explorer then participates in an oral interview before a panel of community members and law enforcement officers.

AWARDS:

1st Pl. Explorer Individual Male Obstacle Course

1st Pl. Advisor Individual Male Obstacle Course

2nd Pl. 10-person Tug-o-War

2nd Pl. Domestic Violence Scenario

3rd Pl. Team Obstacle Course

4th Pl. Vehicle Search Scenario

5th Pl. Medical Emergency Scenario