Explorers participating in summer academies co-hosted by ECSO

Photo courtesy Ellis County Sheriff's Office.

Ellis County Sheriff's Office Explorers who participated in the 2015 Basic Explorer Academy included Hannah Littles (first row, third from left), who served as a squad leader; Remi Gomez (third row, second from left); Noel Campbell (fourth row, second from left); and Jon Anthony (fourth row, fifth from left).

ELLIS COUNTY — Three Ellis County Sheriff's Office Explorers recently completed a Basic Explorer Academy co-hosted by the Ellis County Sheriff's Office, Coppell Police Department, Irving Police Department and Colleyville Police Department. The two-week basic academy was sponsored by the American Legion and was held at the Irving Police and Fire Academy.

The three ECSO Explorers, Jon Anthony, Noel Campbell and Remi Gomez, were among 24 Explorers in attendance, with Campbell voted in as president of the class. Other Explorer posts represented by members were Colleyville, Coppell, Irving, Keller, Little Elm and Trophy Club.

Photo courtesy Ellis County Sheriff's Office.

Alpha Squad: Ellis County Sheriff's Office Explorer Remi Anthony is shown back row, third from left. (Click photo for larger view.)

At the academy, the each of the Explorers was assigned to one of three squads: Alpha, Bravo and Charlie. ECSO Explorer Hannah Littles, who graduated from last year's basic academy, returned this year as a volunteer to serve as Charlie Squad leader.

The basic academy begins with team building exercises before moving into marching drills and physical training. Each Explorer is put through the Learning for Life fitness evaluation on the first day and each day begins with physical training before moving into skills training exercises. Afternoons are typically spent in classroom study.

Photo courtesy Ellis County Sheriff's Office.

Bravo Squad: Ellis County Sheriff's Office Explorer Noel Campbell is shown back row, third from left. (Click photo for larger view.)

Topics covered included the Code of Criminal Procedure, handcuffing, use of force, traffic enforcement, misdemeanor and felony traffic stops, domestic disturbances, DWI investigation, building searches, bomb investigation and crime scene investigation. Physical skills training included completion of a U.S. Marine Corps obstacle course, rappelling exercises and defensive tactics.

A special activity saw the Explorers take part in a memorial run to the Officer Aubrey Hawkins Memorial. Hawkins was serving as an Irving police officer when he was gunned down and killed by escaped convicts after responding to a report of a sporting goods store.

Photo courtesy Ellis County Sheriff's Office.

Charlie Squad: Ellis County Sheriff's Office Explorer Hannah Littles is shown front row, first from left, and Explorer Jon Anthony is shown back row, second from left. Littles, who graduated the Basic Explorer Academy last summer served as a squad leader this year. (Click photo for larger view.)

The co-hosting agencies also have put together an Advanced Explorer Academy that will see its inaugural class this summer. About a dozen ECSO Explorers are expected to attend the specialized one-week school from July 20-24. To attend the advanced academy, an Explorer must have graduated from the basic academy and have a minimum of one year's experience.

The advanced academy will include participation in specialized training scenarios, high and low ropes courses, rappelling exercises and several advanced skills topics. Instructors at this year's academy have more than 70 years of Exploring experience between them, according to ECSO Deputy and Explorer Advisor Jeff Prater, who says, "We're helping them (the Explorers) with the knowledge that we have."

For more information about the Ellis County Sheriff's Office Exploring Program, contact Deputy Jeff Prater by email at jeff.prater@co.ellis.tx.us or by telephone at 972-825-4934.