EDC explorers rack up awards in state contest

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 457 returned home winners last month from the Riverside Police Explorer Competition.

The group competed against more than 25 of the top explorer teams from throughout California.

They took home the following awards:

• First – Unknown Risk Traffic Stop Scenario
• First – Officer Down Scenario
• Third — Individual female explorer physical agility-obstacle course (Explorer Deputy Rachel Dehlinger)
• Fifth – Crime Scene Investigation Scenario
• Fifth – Individual male explorer physical agility-obstacle course (Explorer Deputy Steven Ross).

The team was made up of Morgan Sears, Courtney Granade, Rachel Dehlinger, Laura Russell, Faith Mulholland, Stefanie Davidson, Alan Szarmach and Steven Ross.

Explorers demonstrated their skills and were evaluated in several reality based scenarios including active shooter, pedestrian stop, officer down, emergency negotiations, domestic violence, felony traffic stop, unknown risk traffic stop, crime scene investigation, airsoft shooting, building search, and report writing.