City of Warren Police Department Law Enforcement Explorers took team and individual honors at the 13th annual Law Enforcement Exploring Day Conference in Williamsville, NY.

Six members of the local post were divided into two teams for the six team scenarios at Central Police Services Training Center, Erie County Community College.

They took on Explorers from the Buffalo Police Department, Cheektowaga Police Department, Town of Tonawanda Police Department, and Erie County (N.Y.) Sheriff’s Office. Twelve teams competed in each event.

The scenarios included domestic intervention, felony traffic stop, unknown traffic stop, police call, burglary in progress and building search, and DWI traffic stop.

“The team of Amy Strain, Derick Nowacki and Bryce Cummings placed third in suspicious person, fourth place in burglary in progress / building search, and fourth place in traffic stops,” Post Advisor Sgt. Brandon Deppen said. “The team of Devon Wertz, Gabe Hinton and Ryan McGuinness placed fourth in felony traffic stops and third in traffic stops.”

Individual Explorers were also scored on police written exam, physical agility course, and oral board interview – with three members of the Warren Post taking individual awards.

“Amy Strain placed third and Derick Nowacki placed fourth for the Oral Board Interview presented by the U.S. Secret Service,” Deppen said. “Bryce Cummings placed third in the Men’s Physical Fitness Exam.”

The Explorer program is a division of the Boy Scouts of America. Local Post 312, established in 1996, is sponsored by the City of Warren Police Department.

The program is intended to educate and involve youth ages 14 to 21 who are interested in police work, Deppen said. Through hands-on training, post members experience some of the complexities of police service and are given the opportunity to use their skills to benefit the community.

“The Explorer Post currently has 14 members who are involved in numerous community service activities throughout the year,” Deppen said. “It is not only important for them go learn and grow in the program but also give back to the community that supports them.”

“The post is looking for some new members who may be interested in the program,” he said.

Those who are interested in joining the program or more information may contact Deppen at 723-2700 ext. 144.