SHERIFF'S EXPLORER POST #378 PARTICIPATES IN RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S INAUGURAL EXPLORER COMPETITION

NEWLY CREATED SHERIFF'S EXPLORER POST #378 PARTICIPATES

IN  RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S INAUGURAL 

EXPLORER COMPETITION

In November 2014, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Hemet Station created Explorer Post #378, intended for local youth between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one. The explorer program is designed for youth and young adults who are interested in a future career in law enforcement to obtain the vital skills and discipline they will need to succeed in a law enforcement career. The Explorer program, which has posts at several local law enforcement agency locations, is governed by the Boy Scouts of America. Explorer Post #378 currently has fourteen active members.

On September 19th and 20th, 2015, Explorer Post #378 entered the competition at the Riverside Police Department's Inaugural Explorer Competition. This year's competition was held at Hillcrest High School, in the city of Riverside. Explorer Post #378 was one of twenty-nine teams that participated in this year's competition. 

Six Explorers and three advisers from Post #378 competed in a number of physically and emotionally challenging scenarios and events that present a number of wide ranging scenarios typically experienced daily by the average law enforcement officer. The events included: responding to an "Active Shooter" scenario; conducting building searches in a safe and effective manner; responding to the report of a Domestic Violence incident; properly, safely and effectively conducting felony traffic stops; conducting unknown risk traffic stops; conducting pedestrian checks; proper crime scene investigation techniques; responding to the report of an officer down; effective report writing; airsoft shooting; participating in the team obstacle course as well as the individual obstacle course; participating in the group tug of war; navigating a patrol bicycle course and conducting emergency (crisis) negotiations.

The Explorers who participated in the competition were Jillian Edwards, Richard Schwietzer, Alexandra Mota, Cole Akkerman, Ruben Salgado, and Alyson Enochs. The advisors were Deputy Stephen Enochs, Officer Connie Duke, and Deputy Antonio Soto. Explorer Post #378 performed very well in the competition, especially considering this was their first competition since the inception of the program. The participating members of Explorer Post #378 placed 1st in Building Searches, 2nd in Emergency (Crisis) Negotiation, 4th in Officer Down, and 4th in Team Obstacle Course.

In a press release from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Deputy Stephen Enochs wrote, "The Riverside County Sheriff's Department and the Hemet Station are very proud of Explorer Post #378 for their hard work and dedication to the program and for a job well done at the competition this past weekend. We look forward to upcoming competitions and the opportunity to represent the Riverside County Sheriff's Department once again."

Anyone who is interested in learning more about the Explorer program are encouraged to contact Deputy Enochs or Officer Duke at the Hemet Station at (951)791-3400.

Contact the writer: trevor.hemeteyenews@gmail.com