This just in from Deputy Gary M. Smith about the achievements of OCSD Explorer Post #449.

OCSD Explorer Post #449 sent 14 Explorers and three Advisors to the Channel Islands Competition in Oxnard, CA from 07/20/08 to 07/22/08.  The participants were selected based on their participation, dedication, and commitment to the Explorer program.  The competitors represented our Department in a professional and spirited manner and participated in team and individual events consisting of:  High Risk Car Stops, Domestic Violence Response, Vehicle Searches, Building Searches, Hostage Rescue, etc.

                           
Post #449 participants:
   Jasmine Arredondo  Christina Colima
   Evelyn Gomez   Alan Cleveland
   Alex Kim   Oscar Gutierrez
   Richard Shoopman  George Pereyra
   Jesus Bonilla   Juan Diaz
   Garrett Eggert   Jeremiah Kennedy
   Travis Boenker   Travis Leahy

Station 18 brought home trophies in the following categories:

Individual Competition Advisor:                2nd Place Bicycle Obstacle Course – John Gomez
     1st Place 5K Run – Jason McLennan
Obstacle Course:   3rd Place – Exp. Christina Colima
Hostage Rescue: 1st Place -  Exp. Juan Diaz, Travis Boenker, Oscar Gutierrez;                    George Pereyra, Alan Cleveland, Alex Kim, Jasmine                        Arredondo, Garrett Eggert

The 2008 Colorado Law Enforcement Explorer Conference was held on the Regis University campus, in Denver, Colorado, from June 27th through July 02, 2008.  The Orange County Sheriff’s Department was professionally represented by Explorer Post #449 and made an outstanding impression.  The following Explorers attended the competition:
Jackie Labarbera        Garth Dokken 
Sarah Oropeza         Alex Bollman
Keith Cordova         Rian Straly
Grant Lattimore         Eddie Pena
Simona Popescu                   Bo Hannon
John Leahy         Travis Sbabo

The Explorers were under the guidance of Deputies Gary M. Smith, Ray Botta, and CSP Kirsten Rowe.  The mature and serious demeanor of the troops made the supervisory duties very simple.  The competitors traveled in a Class “B” uniform and displayed a terrific law enforcement image at every stop.

The competition was comprised of 150+ Explorers and 47 Advisors from 17 agencies across the country.  The Explorers were divided into teams with the other agencies and were trained for the various scenarios presented to them.  Our Explorers quickly adapted, made new friends, and often took the lead position on the respective teams.  While learning the various training methods of other agencies, Station 18 demonstrated their excellence in training. When not participating in the actual competition, the Explorers were attending seminars taught by the FBI, Denver PD, and Denver Sheriff’s Dept.  The competition events included: High Risk Traffic Stop, Domestic Crisis, Report Writing, Warrant/High Risk Entry, Hostage Negotiations, Bomb Response, Obstacle Course, and Night-Time Tactical.  At the Closing Awards Ceremony, OCSD Post #449 Explorers were recognized as follows:

Warrant/High Risk Entry:    Garth Dokken                   1st Place Medal
High Risk Traffic Stop:      Alex Bollman       5th Place Medal
Domestic Crisis:               Alex Bollman                   3rd Place Medal
Report-writing:     Simona Popescu   2nd Place Medal
Obstacle Course:  Garth Dokken    1st Place Medal
    John Leahy            2nd Place Medal                   
Bomb Response:    Travis Sbabo    3rd Place Medal
Force Option Simulator:    Travis Sbabo    3rd Place Medal 

The Post #449 Competitors would like to thank everyone who made it possible for them to participate in an event that provided a memorable experience in their law enforcement careers:

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens
Assistant Sheriff Jack Anderson
Captain Brian Wilkerson
Lt. Tom Slayton
Deputies Joe Warner, Mike Perez, Doug Earl
CSD Staff
Kathy Hayes – Sheriff’s Travel