The Newman Police Department Explorers recently participated in a law enforcement competition that tested their skills and knowledge in real-life scenarios. This competition, designed for current Police Explorers and Cadets interested in pursuing careers in law enforcement, allowed participants to showcase their training and adapt to challenging situations.
"Our Explorers practice similar scenarios during our training sessions, and these competitions really put their training to the test," said Newman Police Officer Elias Pasillas, who leads the group. "It’s an invaluable experience that aligns perfectly with the skills we’ve been developing."
The competition posed several challenges that required the Explorers to step outside of their comfort zones. Many scenarios were not typical for their small-town environment, pushing them to adapt quickly and think on their feet.
"There were scenarios that aren’t common in our small town, so our Explorers were out of practice," Pasillas explained. "But they faced the challenge head-on and learned a lot. They’re excited to apply their new knowledge in the next competition."
Throughout the competition, the Explorers relied heavily on critical skills like officer safety, communication, and adaptability. These abilities proved essential as they navigated unpredictable scenarios, mirroring the real-life demands of a law enforcement officer.
"Officer safety was the number one skill valued in the competition," noted Pasillas. "Nobody knew how the scenarios would play out, but our Explorers excelled in the face of adversity. It was a great experience that aligns with real-life scenarios as a law enforcement officer."
Securing a win in one of the scenarios provided a significant boost in confidence for the Newman Explorers, who are relatively new as a team. The experience has motivated them to continue learning and growing as they prepare for future competitions.
"Placing in one of the scenarios was a great boost of confidence for our Explorers. None of them expected to win any awards, and they surprised themselves with their performance," shared Pasillas. "Now, they are more motivated than ever to learn and grow, and they’re eager to bring home more awards in future competitions."
The team’s preparation involved months of intense training, including five to six-hour sessions focusing on various law enforcement scenarios such as traffic stops, felony traffic stops, and domestic violence calls. These sessions combined classroom work, videos of real-life scenarios, and hands-on practice.
"We continued this training layout throughout, with practical scenarios that our Explorers had to handle," said Pasillas. "We also held defensive tactics training, where they learned appropriate use of force and proper handcuffing techniques."
Looking ahead, the Newman Police Explorers are excited about upcoming events, including the Central Valley Explorer competition next summer. They also plan to partner with local agencies for collaborative training sessions and are actively recruiting new members.
"We plan to grow our team and attend more competitions," Pasillas stated. "Our Explorers will be visible at more local events, and they’d love to meet the community. We are currently recruiting, so if anyone is interested in joining, they can stop by the police department or email at banthieny@cityofnewman.com."
"Our Explorers practice similar scenarios during our training sessions, and these competitions really put their training to the test," said Newman Police Officer Elias Pasillas, who leads the group. "It’s an invaluable experience that aligns perfectly with the skills we’ve been developing."
The competition posed several challenges that required the Explorers to step outside of their comfort zones. Many scenarios were not typical for their small-town environment, pushing them to adapt quickly and think on their feet.
"There were scenarios that aren’t common in our small town, so our Explorers were out of practice," Pasillas explained. "But they faced the challenge head-on and learned a lot. They’re excited to apply their new knowledge in the next competition."
Throughout the competition, the Explorers relied heavily on critical skills like officer safety, communication, and adaptability. These abilities proved essential as they navigated unpredictable scenarios, mirroring the real-life demands of a law enforcement officer.
"Officer safety was the number one skill valued in the competition," noted Pasillas. "Nobody knew how the scenarios would play out, but our Explorers excelled in the face of adversity. It was a great experience that aligns with real-life scenarios as a law enforcement officer."
Securing a win in one of the scenarios provided a significant boost in confidence for the Newman Explorers, who are relatively new as a team. The experience has motivated them to continue learning and growing as they prepare for future competitions.
"Placing in one of the scenarios was a great boost of confidence for our Explorers. None of them expected to win any awards, and they surprised themselves with their performance," shared Pasillas. "Now, they are more motivated than ever to learn and grow, and they’re eager to bring home more awards in future competitions."
The team’s preparation involved months of intense training, including five to six-hour sessions focusing on various law enforcement scenarios such as traffic stops, felony traffic stops, and domestic violence calls. These sessions combined classroom work, videos of real-life scenarios, and hands-on practice.
"We continued this training layout throughout, with practical scenarios that our Explorers had to handle," said Pasillas. "We also held defensive tactics training, where they learned appropriate use of force and proper handcuffing techniques."
Looking ahead, the Newman Police Explorers are excited about upcoming events, including the Central Valley Explorer competition next summer. They also plan to partner with local agencies for collaborative training sessions and are actively recruiting new members.
"We plan to grow our team and attend more competitions," Pasillas stated. "Our Explorers will be visible at more local events, and they’d love to meet the community. We are currently recruiting, so if anyone is interested in joining, they can stop by the police department or email at banthieny@cityofnewman.com."
