DATE: Wednesday, July 23, 2014
SUBJECT: Sheriff’s Explorers attend National Conference
RELEASE NUMBER: 2014-NR-064
CONTACT: Lt. James Martin
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Dave Wedding
Explorers from Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post #82 recently returned from a national conference in Bloomington, Indiana. This past June 14th through June 19th our Explorers attended the 2014 National Law Enforcement Exploring Conference at the campus of Indiana University.
During the conference Explorers from around the country took part in both individual and team competitions, attended law enforcement seminars and workshops, viewed job fairs and explored many different aspects of local, state and federal law enforcement.
“Our Explorers had the opportunity to meet and interact with law enforcement Explorers from many different walks of life,” said Lt. Martin, the coordinator for the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post. “They met young men and women from New York, California, Missouri, Illinois, Texas, Michigan and everywhere in between.” Deputy J.D. Wargel (an advisor with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post) added, “I saw personal and team growth in these young men during this conference. The level of professionalism and character they displayed makes me realize how important this program is to our office and the future of law enforcement.”
Team competition events included: Arrest and Search, Bomb Threat Responses, Burglary in Progress, Crime Prevention, Crime Scene Search, Crisis Negotiations, Domestic Crisis Intervention, Judgment Pistol Shooting, Officer Down: Emergency First Aid, Traffic Accident Investigations, Traffic Stops and White Collar Crime. Explorers could also compete individually in a Non-Emergency Vehicle Operations Course, a Police Physical Fitness Test, an Air Pistol Competition and Sample Police Written Examinations.
In 2014, Law Enforcement Exploring reached its 55th year and is the premier program for young men and women who are interested in a career in law enforcement. Celebrating this milestone, the theme for this year’s conference was “Looking Back and Seeing the Future.” The National Law Enforcement Explorer Post Conference strives to enrich Law Enforcement Exploring by providing an opportunity for learning, leadership development and interpersonal growth in an atmosphere of competition, seminars, demonstrations, exhibits, social networking and recreation.
Representing the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post #82 were: Ben Hicklin, a sophomore at Vincennes University, Lane Buente, a freshmen at Vincennes University, Preston Wells, a freshman at Ivy Tech Community College and Cody Trine, a senior at Boonville High School.
Sheriff Dave Wedding stated, “I am proud of the job our Explorers have done. Their dedication speaks volumes about their personal character and genuine desire for a career in law enforcement.”
Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post #82 was chartered in 2012 and serves young men and women of the tri-state area between the ages of 16 – 20. Our Explorers were trained and educated by members of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, the Evansville Police Department and the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office. Law Enforcement Explorers assist the Vanderburgh Sheriff’s office at community events, Sobriety Checkpoints and other law enforcement activities including ride-a-longs with motor patrol deputies. For more information about the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post contact the Sheriff’s Office at (812) 421-6200, visit www.vanderburghsheriff.org, or visit the Explorer Post’s Facebook page at VCSO Explorer Post 82.
Pictured above (left to right): Ben Hicklin, Lane Buente, Cody Trine and Preston Wells
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