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Police Explorer program holds graduation
August 21, 2014
The Bonners Ferry Police Department is proud to announce that the first group of “Police Explorer Scouts" have graduated from a one week, 40-hour boot camp. The cadets, ages 14-20, received classroom training in aspects of police work, such as crime scene investigation, communications, criminal law and ethics. Police personnel from the police department, city attorney, sheriff’s department and Border Patrol taught introductory blocks of training designed to familiarize the kids with the law enforcement profession.

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The cadets began each day at the Bonners Ferry High School football field and track, where officers ran them through 90 minutes of physical training or “PT." The cadets were then bused to the U.S. Border Patrol Station near Three Mile where they showered, changed into uniforms and began classroom training.

On Friday, August 15, a graduation ceremony was held at the United States Border Patrol Station. Approximately 50 parents and friends of cadets attended the ceremony. Corporal Buddy Winters of the Bonners Ferry Police Department emceed the ceremony and presented certificates to the cadets. Chief Robert Boone addressed the cadets, encouraging them to always guard their integrity and to be “Sheepdogs,” or ones who protect those who cannot defend themselves.

The following area youth graduated and are now proud members of Explorer Post #190: Matthew Gemmrig, Kaleb Huseby, Jacob Fess, Katelyn Onstott, Alexandria LeVesque, Haley Wenk, Seamus Ryan, Richard Cowell IV, and Warren Carle. The Cadets chose Matthew Gemmrig as their class president and Katelyn Onstott as the “Honor Cadet."

The Post Advisors for Explorer Post #190 are: U.S. Border Patrol Agent-In-Charge Manny Figueroa, Bonners Ferry Police Chief Bob Boone, Sheriff’s Detective Caleb Watts, Police Corporal Buddy Winters, Border Patrol Agent Dave Grainger, U.S. Forest Service Agent Marc Gray, Mrs. Shea Winters, and Police Secretary Debbie Woods.

"I think more kids should be involved in The Law Enforcement Explorers Program," said Warren Carle, who serves as Vice President for the group, "because it is a great experience and shows a side of law enforcement that most people do not recognize. I can not wait for future recruits to join and one day turn into cadets."

It is the goal of area law enforcement to provide an avenue for our youth to plug into to avoid the pitfalls of drugs, alcohol and violence, and learn to live a disciplined life of honor and service to the community. The Explorer Program is funded completely by private sector donations and fund raising such as hat, cup and t-shirt sales that have been proceeding with the help of local businesses such as Far North Logo Shop who have partnered in the fundraising, News Bonners Ferry who provided advertising on the fundraiser, and Safeway Market who donated pastries to the kids every morning of the boot camp. Thank you!!
 
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