During the Special Council Presentation of May 2014, Councilman Jon Burgess stood before the chamber to recognize the accomplishments of the city’s aspiring law enforcement professionals by congratulating the City of Homestead Police Explorers for their impressive showing at the Learning for Life Regional Explorer Competition.
“Tonight, we have some young people present that have done some great things on behalf of their community that I would like to recognize,” began Councilman Burgess. “They recently competed in the Learning for Life Regional Explorer competition where up to 22 other police agencies were represented. I am pleased to announce that, through six events, our contingency placed 5th in two simulated scenarios; a crime scene investigation and a search and arrest procedure. Given the top flight competition they faced, this is an impressive accomplishment.”
The Homestead Police Explorers is a law-enforcement-based community service program that falls under the City of Homestead Police Department. Its purpose is to bring together law enforcement officers and youth with an interest in law enforcement as a possible career. The program instills discipline, responsibility and leadership, and students ages 14 – 21 with a G.P.A of 2.0 or better in each class are eligible to join. After joining, each Explorer must complete the Basic Law Enforcement Explorer Academy where they learn about law enforcement and exercise, and participate in teambuilding activities. The academy is very hands on and is structured to follow the Police Academy.
Awards were presented to the Police Explorer’s leadership which included Captain Mallie Graham, Officer Robbie Tate and Officer Alisha Wiggins. Awards were also presented to Chief Explorer Steven Franqui, Deputy Chief Explorer Daralene Arocho, Ruben Martinez, Jennifer Rivera, Gabriela Franqui, John Castro, Robert Tate Jr., Cristian Bailey and Krister L. Martinez.
A proclamation was then issued proclaiming May 21, 2014, Homestead Police Explorers Day in the City of Homestead.
