|
Police Explorer program holds graduation |
August 21, 2014 |
The Bonners Ferry Police Department is proud to
announce that the first group of “Police
Explorer Scouts" have graduated from a one week,
40-hour boot camp. The cadets, ages 14-20,
received classroom training in aspects of police
work, such as crime scene investigation,
communications, criminal law and ethics. Police
personnel from the police department, city
attorney, sheriff’s department and Border Patrol
taught introductory blocks of training designed
to familiarize the kids with the law enforcement
profession.
(Story continues
below photo)
The cadets began each day at the Bonners Ferry
High School football field and track, where
officers ran them through 90 minutes of physical
training or “PT." The cadets were then bused to
the U.S. Border Patrol Station near Three Mile
where they showered, changed into uniforms and
began classroom training.
On Friday, August 15, a graduation ceremony was
held at the United States Border Patrol Station.
Approximately 50 parents and friends of cadets
attended the ceremony. Corporal Buddy Winters of
the Bonners Ferry Police Department emceed the
ceremony and presented certificates to the
cadets. Chief Robert Boone addressed the cadets,
encouraging them to always guard their integrity
and to be “Sheepdogs,” or ones who protect those
who cannot defend themselves.
The following area youth graduated and are now
proud members of Explorer Post #190: Matthew
Gemmrig, Kaleb Huseby, Jacob Fess, Katelyn
Onstott, Alexandria LeVesque, Haley Wenk, Seamus
Ryan, Richard Cowell IV, and Warren Carle. The
Cadets chose Matthew Gemmrig as their class
president and Katelyn Onstott as the “Honor
Cadet."
The Post Advisors for Explorer Post #190 are:
U.S. Border Patrol Agent-In-Charge Manny
Figueroa, Bonners Ferry Police Chief Bob Boone,
Sheriff’s Detective Caleb Watts, Police Corporal
Buddy Winters, Border Patrol Agent Dave
Grainger, U.S. Forest Service Agent Marc Gray,
Mrs. Shea Winters, and Police Secretary Debbie
Woods.
"I think more kids should be involved in The Law
Enforcement Explorers Program," said Warren
Carle, who serves as Vice President for the
group, "because it is a great experience and
shows a side of law enforcement that most people
do not recognize. I can not wait for future
recruits to join and one day turn into cadets."
It is the goal of area law enforcement to
provide an avenue for our youth to plug into to
avoid the pitfalls of drugs, alcohol and
violence, and learn to live a disciplined life
of honor and service to the community. The
Explorer Program is funded completely by private
sector donations and fund raising such as hat,
cup and t-shirt sales that have been proceeding
with the help of local businesses such as Far
North Logo Shop who have partnered in the
fundraising, News Bonners Ferry who provided
advertising on the fundraiser, and Safeway
Market who donated pastries to the kids every
morning of the boot camp. Thank you!! |
|
Questions or comments about this
article?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|