Fillmore Police Explorers compete in Chandler, Az
Pictured (l-r) front to back: Michael Topete, Armando Vidal, Javier Salgado, Tyler Hackworth, Eddie Gutierrez, Josefina Fernandez, Christian Robledo, Alan Galvan, Briana Vazquez, Jessica Givan, Daisy Villa, Zachary Saint Pierre, Khristian Felix, Brandon Pina, Daniel Flores, Miguel Salgado, and Maria Salgado. Vidal also placed 2nd in the 3 mile run. The whole unit placed 4th in the “Rapid Response Scenario”.
Pictured (l-r) front to back: Michael Topete, Armando Vidal, Javier Salgado, Tyler Hackworth, Eddie Gutierrez, Josefina Fernandez, Christian Robledo, Alan Galvan, Briana Vazquez, Jessica Givan, Daisy Villa, Zachary Saint Pierre, Khristian Felix, Brandon Pina, Daniel Flores, Miguel Salgado, and Maria Salgado. Vidal also placed 2nd in the 3 mile run. The whole unit placed 4th in the “Rapid Response Scenario”.

For the past 14 years, the Chandler Police Department has hosted a Tactical Explorer Competition. The event has become so popular that the number of Explorer Posts that can participate is limited to 65. Explorer posts throughout the Country travel to Chandler to compete.

Three Explorer Posts from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office competed this year: Headquarters Station Post #2902, Camarillo Post #2932, and Fillmore Post #2958. The Explorer Scouts participated in a variety of pseudo SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) scenarios.

The Explorers from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office were awarded the following trophies. Post #2902: 1st Place – Tug o’ War, 1st Place – Marijuana Field Raid, and 5th Place – EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) Response; Post #2932: 5th Place – 10 Man TK-4 (Armored Vehicle) Pull; and Post #2958: 4th Place – Rapid Response (Active Shooter) and 2nd Place – 3-Mile Run, which is an individual event completed by Armando Fidal.
Enforcement Career Exploring is open to young men and women ages 14 (and completed the 8th grade) through 20 years old with an interest in learning more about careers in the field of Law Enforcement. Law Enforcement Exploring provides educational training programs for young adults on the purposes, mission, and objectives of law enforcement. The program provides career orientation experiences, leadership opportunities, and community service activities. The primary goals of the program are to help young adults choose a career path within law enforcement and to challenge them to become responsible citizens of their communities and the nation.

Each Explorer Post is affiliated with a law enforcement agency and Learning for Life, which is a branch of Boy Scouts of America. Many law enforcement agencies support the Explorer Program it provides an opportunity for youths to have a positive impact on their communities as well as develop future peace officers and good citizens and leaders.

For more information about the Explorer Program for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, please contact one of the following Advisors: Headquarters – Deputy Sara Valenzuela (805) 654-2364, Ojai – Deputy Quincy Knowlton (805) 646-1414, Fillmore – Senior Deputy Mario Aguilar (805) 524-2233, Camarillo – SST (Sheriff’s Service Technician) Todd Eskridge (805) 388-5129, Thousand Oaks – Senior Deputy William Hutton (805) 497-2351, and Moorpark – Deputy Claudia Holden (805) 532-2700.