Thirteen members of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 900 attended the Florida Association of Police Explorers State Competition in Ft. Myers, Florida on June 20-26, 2010. With our trailer packed to the gills, Post 900 arrived at the Crowne Plaza excited to begin the week! For many this was a first time experience at a state competition. The anticipation was evident on their faces, as members of Post 900 marched in class A uniform to the opening ceremony.
We started our week with the pistol competition. Individual and team shooting took place at the Lee County Gun Range/Training facility with hopes that the championship title would remain with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
Throughout the week our competition team participated in events including a traffic stop on a commercial box truck, a traffic crash, and a disturbance testing our team’s knowledge on the criteria for an act of domestic violence. The team also responded to a narcotic trafficking scenario involving an airplane, an active shooter response to a business, and an accidental discharge of a firearm with the victim sustaining minor injuries. In addition to investigating a crime scene using forensic processing, members also participated in the Physical Abilities Test course, the Police Mountain Bike course and an Honor Guard presentation. Another addition to our list of firsts, Post 900 presented an all female Honor Guard with Explorer Jenna Deery singing our national anthem a cappella.
During the busy schedule of the week, Explorers also participated in the evening activities including a Wii sports competition sponsored by Best Buy and a dance with a local DJ. Some of our members had the chance to daydream through the Bass Pro Shop in Ft. Myers, to jump in the swimming pool, and catch a nap here and there.
Finally, just when we thought that all the work was done, Post 900 hosted a beach party at Sanibel Island on Free Day Friday. With Chef Bauman and Chef Staples manning the grill and Post 900 coordinating distribution, approximately two hundred were fed an awesome lunch of burgers, hotdogs, watermelon and chips. Explorers from across the state played side by side in beach games like watermelon football and tug of war. Later that evening, Sgt. Nestor provided a quick lesson on formal table etiquette which was perfectly timed for our trip on a Murder Mystery Dinner Train. Everyone was dressed in their Sunday best and had a wonderful time being entertained with a comical mystery while enjoying a five course dinner.
Early Saturday morning, various event judges provided competition results at the closing ceremony. Explorer Post 900 received a 4th place trophy in the Crisis Intervention event, a 4th place trophy in the Traffic Stop event, and a 3rd place trophy in the Traffic Crash Event. Explorer Wesley Wood was given special recognition and a plaque for writing a perfect Uniform Traffic Citation. Explorer Robert Kries received the 1st place trophy for the individual Police Mountain Bike event. And Robert, Brian Hassett, Melinda Mujidzic and Keith Felsman also received the 2nd place trophy for Police Mountain Bike Team Event.
On the Range, Explorer Matthew Sauter received 1st place and Explorer Keith Felsman received 2nd place trophies for the Sharp Shooter Division. The Post 900 Pistol Team members, Matthew Sauter, Keith Felsman, Nathan Mowatt, and Robert Kries were all recognized as the Range Master’s F.A.P.E. Top 10 Shooters and were announced the State Pistol Team Champions for the 3rd year in a row! Way to Go Post 900! The Championship Cup has been retired with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 900! All the hard work and commitment of not only Explorers, but also instructors, certainly paid off!
Congratulations to members of Explorer Post 900 and a special thank you to Sheriff Jim Coats and all those throughout the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office who provide continued support to Post 900! |
