In July of 2015, ten Kern County Sheriff’s Explorers from Post #519 and three Explorer Advisors attended the San Diego Law Enforcement Explorer Academy hosted by the San Diego County Law Enforcement Explorers Advisors Association. The Academy is a week long, live in academy, in which Explorers receive training in various Law Enforcement related disciplines.
The academy is broken up into three phases and Explorers attend only one phase per year.
The Basic Phase (Phase I) is the equivalent of a basic police academy. The majority of the classes are formal classroom training in elementary topics. The topics include the administration of justice, criminal law, officer safety, traffic enforcement, juvenile procedures, physical conditioning and training. This class is ideal for the new Explorer who does not have any prior training.
The Intermediate Phase (Phase II) is the equivalent of in-service training for a police officer. This phase of training is designed as a continuation of the basic education. Classroom training is provided in connection with hands on, practical, and field exercises. Topics covered include high-risk stops, officer safety, basic investigation techniques, firearm familiarization and physical conditioning and training. This class is ideal for the line Explorer who has experience working in the field.
The Advanced Phase (Phase III) is built around leadership, organizational skills and advanced field training for the Explorer who has completed basic and intermediate levels of training. Topics covered are leadership, team building, specialized investigation and supervision.
This year the academy was attended by over 240 explorers from different agencies across the state. During the academy graduation ceremony several awards are handed out to top performing Explorers. Each year an explorer from each of the three phases is nominated for the “Alfred Edgar” top explorer award. Two of the three nominations were from Kern County: Brittany Cotton from Phase 1 and Cameron Snyder from Phase 3. Cameron Snyder ultimately edged out the other two nominees to bring home the award. Brittany Cotton did not go home empty handed as she won the Phase 1 Top Explorer award. Serelia Orozco won the Phase 2 Top Physical Training award and Volunteer Advisor Jeff Snyder was awarded the Top Visiting Advisor Award.
The Explorer Post is a 501c (3) non-profit and gains it funding through fundraisers and donations. This year, Kern County Board of Supervisor Leticia Perez donated $3,500 to the Post to assist in sending kids to the academy.
