The 2023 Solano Explorer/Cadet Academy culminated this past Sunday, July 16, at 6:00 pm with a graduation ceremony celebrating the cadets who successfully completed the rigorous academy.
Hosted by the Vacaville Police Department at Vaca Pena Middle School, the academy started Thursday, July 13 and consisted of 4 days of both classroom and hands-on learning.
For the duration of the academy, the Explorers and cadets endured a simulation of what a police academy would be like, should they choose to pursue a career as an officer in the future - including sleeping overnight at the facility.
Topics covered included Defensive Tactics, Traffic Stops/DUIs, Officer Down, Building Searches, Less Lethal Munitions, Tactical Medicine, and Active Killer response. Most classes incorporated practical scenarios that the participants had to work through individually and/or as a team in order to succeed.
In addition to the classes were morning PT sessions, drill/ceremony, and a canine demo.
In total, the explorers and cadets, who hailed from Solano County and other local agencies, received over 40 hours of instructional training.
The graduation saw FFPD Explorer Kylee Lamica voted by agency advisors as "Top Cadet" of the academy and FFPD Advisor Detective T. Brownridge voted by the academy cadets as "Most Inspirational" advisor.
Our thanks to the below agencies for their help and participation:
Vacaville PD (hosting agency)
Fairfield PD
Solano County Sheriff/Rio Vista PD
Sacramento PD
Benicia PD
Antioch PD
FFPD's Explorer Program consists of the following command structure:
Lieutenant Josh Kresha
Sergeant Franco Cesar
Detective Terence Brownridge (Coordinator)
Officer Kevin Anderson (Advisor)
Detective Derek Brownridge (Advisor)
Congratulations, everyone!
Know a youth interested in becoming an Explorer? Prospective Explorers are typically 14-21 years old and looking for a career in law enforcement (e.g., officers, dispatchers, community service officers, crime scene investigators, etc.) and/or are searching for extended and dedicated volunteer time (for job experience).
Learn more about the requirements for the program and access the application here: https://www.fairfield.ca.gov/government/city-departments/police/police-explorers-program. Questions and completed applications may be emailed to Officer Terence Brownridge at [email protected].
