Hemet Police Department Hosts Explorer Academy
The Hemet Police Department, in conjunction with Learning for Life and the Hemet Unified School District, held a Police Explorer Regional Academy last week at Tahquitz High School in Hemet. The academy was a live-in learning experience for teenage boys and girls who are current Police Explorers from various law enforcement agencies in Southern California. The academy started on Sunday, July 15th and concluded with a graduation in front of proud parents and family members on Saturday, July 21st.
30 Explorers from Hemet Police, San Bernardino Police, and the Claremont Police Department took part in the event. Advisory staff from each agency was present and assisted with the daily instruction and supervision of the Explorers.
The Explorer’s day started at 6am with physical fitness and drill. Throughout the day, they attended classes on law enforcement tactics, criminal law, policy, and other aspects of police work. They attended leadership courses and heard from special guest instructors from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, Riverside County Gang Task Force, and also retired Hemet Police Detective Charles Johnson. Johnson provided insight into the investigation and arrests for the firearm, bomb, and rocket attacks directed at him and other members of the Hemet Police Department.
Last Friday, the young police officer hopefuls formed into squads. Together, they put what they had learned throughout the week to work. The squads were thrust into scenarios with role-playing police officers, parents, and volunteers. The competition tested the Explorers on such things as; Traffic Stops, Foot Pursuits, Crime Scene Investigation, Civil Disobedience, and a large scale Active Shooter / Hostage exercise that involved nearly one hundred actors.