The Sedona Explorers’s trophy case just got a little more crowded.
Last month the young men and women who make up the Explorers, a community-based policing program for those interested in a career in law enforcement, traveled to Chandler. There they participated in the Tac Challenge. The tactical competition featured 62 other teams from seven states, taking part in 11 different events.
The Sedona squad took first in both rapid response, active shooter response and vertical assault. In addition, they placed third in the SWAT fitness challenge and second in laser tag.
Sedona Police Department Officers Aldo Ortega and Catherine Beers oversee the Sedona program, along with SPD communications specialist Adam Leili.
“It was so exciting to watch them perform in such a fluid, strategic and safe manner to end the threat in each scenario they performed,” Beers said. “These kids are our future.”
Those Sedona team members that competed in Chandler included Jamie Alagna, Cooper Barber, Francisco Bekele, Christian Bohme, Matt Capozzi, R.J. Edwards, Jaiah Grondin, Brennan Hutton, Adrian Javey, Lanaya Johnson, Nate Ross and Eric Schrader.
“I would like to say that it has been an honor and a privilege to mentor this amazing group of kids,” Ortega said. “Throughout the years I have seen them grow into responsible young women and men. They have made my experience here at the police department most memorable.”
The Explorers train every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. They participate in several community events throughout the year and raised all of their own funds for the Chandler competition. Through car washes, police patch sales and donations they hope to raise enough funds to participate in two competitions later this year.
