Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-Explorer Post 900

What:
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 900 recently participated in the 2018 National Law Enforcement Exploring Conference

When:
The competition took place from July 15-21, 2018.

Where:
The 2018 National Law Enforcement Exploring Conference was held at Purdue State University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Why/How:

Ten members of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 900 joined more than 3,000 other Explorers, adult leaders, and staff from throughout the nation at the National Law Enforcement Exploring Conference. The conference provided attendees with training, competition in all areas of law enforcement, and allowed explorers to gain an insight into all the different aspects of law enforcement throughout the nation.

Sponsoring organizations included the FBI, Secret Service, Homeland Security (Customs / Border Patrol), ATF, and the DEA.  The sponsoring agencies held a career fair at which law enforcement professionals were available to discuss career goals with individual Explorers. There were demonstrations and exhibits, as well as many recreational and entertainment events.  Upon the closing rally, area federal agencies and other law enforcement organizations showed off the latest in law enforcement technology and techniques.  The Explorers attended seminars to include topics about leadership, domestic terrorism, forensic science, and social media.

The conference featured competitions sponsored by law enforcement organizations providing realistic and practical experiences to prepare Explorers for the types of situations they would face in law enforcement careers. Team events included Arrest and Search; Bomb Threat Response; Crime Prevention; Crime-Scene Search; Domestic-Crisis Intervention; Shoot/Don’t Shoot; Hostage Negotiation; Burglary in Progress; Traffic Accident Investigation; Traffic Stop; White-Collar Crime; and Emergency Field First Aid.

Explorer Post 900 was represented by three competition teams. Team A was comprised of Explorer Lieutenant Isabella Wolcott, Explorer Sergeant Brandon Lambert, Explorer Sergeant Andrew Aponte and Explorer Corporal Joanna Burzo.  Team B was comprised of Explorer Corporal Ashley Pettit, Explorer Corporal Ruth Willis and Explorer Adam Broffman.  Team C was comprised of Explorer Sergeant Sandra Mondragon, Explorer Corporal Justin Musick and Explorer Melissa Vega-Hernandez.  Each explorer learned valuable lessons on in leadership, teamwork, competition and investigative techniques.

Individual competitions included Air-Pistol, Drill, Mountain Bike, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Physical Agility Test, and a Pistol Competition. Explorers also participated in a majority of the optional events offered.  The Explorers participated in the Air-Pistol using pellet guns and Pistol Competition using 9mm caliber semi-automatic firearms.  Explorer Corporal Justin Musick and Explorer Corporal Joanna Burzo individually placed in the top 20 in the nation for the 9mm firearms competition.  Explorer Corporal Justin Musick placed 9^th and Explorer Corporal Joanna Burzo placed 18^th.  This year, there was a 2-person and 4-person team shooting for 9mm Pistol Competition.  Explorer Sergeant Andrew Aponte, Explorer Sergeant Brandon Lambert, Explorer Corporal Joanna Burzo and Explorer Corporal Justin Musick placed 3^rd overall in the nation for the 4-person team shoot.  Explorer Corporal Joanna Burzo and Explorer Corporal Justin Musick placed 3^rd overall in the nation for the 2-person team shoot.

Off campus, the Explorers experienced hiking in several Indiana state parks, learning about farm life in the 1900’s and venturing through a cave, which contained fossils from the last ice age.  The Explorers had a fun and exciting time, but still learned and experienced life through engaging adventures.

The National Exploring Conference is not just for the Explorers.  During the week, advisors of the post participated in seminars that provided insight and ideas on how to grow the Explorer Program and foster positive relationships with the post in the community it serves.  Explorer Post #900 continues to prove itself committed to providing as many opportunities to its members as possible by developing skills of leadership, responsibility and dedication with every experience.

For more information about Post #900 please visit our website at WWW.PCSOWEB.COM/EXPLORER-POST-900 or contact the lead advisor Deputy Aly Towne at (727) 453-7461.