Explorers nab top honors at police skills competition

Vehicle search, bus assault, hostage rescue … for seven young men and women in simulated police situations, this was no day at summer camp. It was a character-building competition among 30 police agencies from the western United States, and the Sonoma Police Department Explorers brought home two trophies.
The 6th annual Channel Islands Explorer Challenge concluded June 20 in Oxnard. “This is the big one,” team advisor Deputy Matt Regan told The Sun this week. “It’s like an Olympics for aspiring police officers.”
The Sonoma squad took first place in the Building Search event and second place in the Vehicle Search competition.
The Sonoma Explorers are: Explorer Lt. Mark Branconi, 21; Explorer Sgt. Kaiden Kemp, 19; Explorer Sam Camarena, 20; Explorer Hector Campos, 19; Explorer Lucia Padilla, 17; Explorer McKenzie Lawrence, 15; and Explorer Timothy Noonan, 14. Regan and fellow team advisor, Deputy Tom Howard, accompanied the group to Ventura County for the competition.
“We went last year, and got a taste of what it’s all about,” said Regan. “This year we were all geared up.”
Team events ranged from a simple Vehicle Search, to more challenging simulations, including Active Shooter and Hostage Rescue. Judges rated each team on its overall response to the unfolding situation, which could include “live fire” in the form of paint balls. “It’s all about how you handle the call,” Regan said.
His team also handled the intimidating presence of well-drilled squads from the larger metros. The Los Angeles team, he said, marched in cadence under the barking command of a drill sergeant, dropping to do push-ups along the way. “I’m really impressed that we beat those guys,” Regan said. To train its Explorer team, Regan said, a force like L.A. or Las Vegas has thousands of officers to draw from. “Here, those officer hours are harder to come by.”
The Explorer program gives young men and woman 15 to 20 years of age insight into the world of law enforcement through hands-on career activities. The group meets twice a month to learn the laws of arrest; first aid/CPR, crime scene management, traffic control and other skills. They receive instruction from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department, the Highway Patrol and other agencies, and participate in the Ride-Along program. They also patrol the Tuesday Farmers Market and other events on the Plaza.
“They have their own command structure, with a captain, sergeant and lieutenant,” said Regan. “We follow the same pattern and structure as the regular department.”