Palm Bay Police Explorers Among Best In State
By Space Coast Daily // July 1, 2013
tops in Brevard County
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – Palm Bay Police Explorer Post 597 returned Saturday from a weeklong statewide competition finishing second overall and placing in the top five in 10 different categories.
The results make Palm Bay’s Explorer Post the best in Brevard County for the second consecutive year and second best in all of Florida.
“We are so proud of these young men and women,” said Cpl. Frank Tobar, lead advisor for the Palm Bay Police Explorer Post 597.
“They worked and trained so hard for months leading up to this competition. It paid off and we couldn’t be more proud.”
The Florida Association of Police Explorers (FAPE) annual statewide completion was held last week in Crystal River and hosted 31 police and sheriff explorer teams from around the state.
FUTURE LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS
The competition tested the participant’s skill level and knowledge in many law enforcement categories including emergency vehicle operations, firearms training simulator, traffic crashes, traffic stops, crime scene, search and arrest, physical agility and others. Palm Bay’s team included 13 members, some of whom participated for the first time and others who participated for the last time.
“This is a good way to retire,” said Mariah Marrero who is in her last year of eligibility as a Palm Bay police explorer. “I am very happy with the results and can’t wait to move forward from here.”
“This is a good way to retire,” said Mariah Marrero who is in her last year of eligibility as a Palm Bay police explorer. “I am very happy with the results and can’t wait to move forward from here.”
Marrero has been with the explorer program since she was 17. She is now 21 and is enrolled in the police academy class that begins on August 26. She is also attending the U.S. Secret Service Leadership Academy in July. Marrero hopes to work in Palm Bay as a police officer once she completes the academy.
Two other explorers, Tyler Witt and Vincent Galioto, will be attending the U.S. Marshal Secret Service Academy in July as well.
“The explorer program is such a great experience for anyone who is considering a career in law enforcement,” Chief Muldoon added.
“We have some of the best advisors around who volunteer their own time to educate and train these kids for a future in law enforcement. What our advisors are doing is yielding results because we already have several explorer graduates who are now working as Palm Bay police officers.”
CHARTERED THROUGH THE BOY SCOUTS
Palm Bay Police Explorer Post 597 is chartered through the Boys Scouts of America and sponsored by the Palm Bay Police Department. The educational aspect of the program provides knowledge of the law enforcement function on one’s community.
Through involvement, the explorer program establishes awareness of the complexities of police service and develops essential life skills. Membership is open to both male and female youths between the ages of 14, provided they have completed the 8th grade, through age 20.
The Palm Bay Police Explorer Post 597 meets each Tuesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
For more information about the Palm Bay Police Explorers call 321-952-3530.
FAPE TEAM RESULTS
• Shooting
– Second place, Male Tyro Shooting, Aaron Shishilla
• EVOC
– First place, Male EVOC, Zachery Morris
– Second place, Male EVOC, Vincent Galioto
• FATS (Fire Arms Training Simulator)
– Fifth place, FATS Machine: Kevin Diaz, Tim Doyle, Rachel Butler, Zachery Morris
• Events
– Fifth place, Tie Breaker, Vincent Galioto
– Second place, Traffic Crash: Vincent Galioto, Tyler Witt, Mariah Marrero, Aaron Shishilla
– Third place, Traffic Stop: Vincent Galioto, Tyler Witt, Mariah Marrero, Aaron Shishilla
– Fifth place, Crime Scene: Vincent Galioto, Tyler Witt, Mariah Marrero, Aaron Shishilla
– Second place, Search and Arrest: Vincent Galioto, Tyler Witt, Mariah Marrero, Aaron Shishilla
• Overall
– Second place out of 31 teams from around the state of Police and Sheriff Explorers
BELOW VIDEO: Palm Bay Police Explorer Post 597 returned Saturday from a weeklong statewide competition finishing second overall and placing in the top five in 10 different categories. The results make Palm Bay’s Explorer Post the best in Brevard County for the second consecutive year and second best in all of Florida. This video, from the 2012 competition illustrates the various categories of the competition.
