South Texas Explorer Competition at A&M International June 14

Over 300 members of law enforcement Explorer Posts from across the State of Texas will converge on the campus of Texas A&M International University Saturday, June 14 for a day-long South Texas Explorer Competition.

The event is being hosted by the Texas A&M International University's University Police with the assistance of local and regional law enforcement agencies. The University's Police sponsor the State's only law enforcement Explorer Post that is affiliated with a State university or college.

The competition affords participants an opportunity for hands-on investigative experience in 11 crime scenarios that will feature actors and law enforcement agency personnel, said A&M International Officer Sylvia Steele, who is chairing the event.

"These 15-21 year-olds are coming from around the state and have indicated a strong interest in pursuing careers in law enforcement. This one-day competition affords them an opportunity to study with a hands-on model, test their investigative skills against their peers and see a full spectrum of law enforcement careers represented," Officer Steele said.

At the end of the competition, Explorers, their advisors and competition organizers will be recognized at an awards ceremony at Banquet at International Bank of Commerce's Lago Del Rio facility. All participants will also receive a specially designed T-shirt. Awards and trophies will be provided to First, Second and Third place winners.

Among crime scenarios the students will compete in and the agency that will present the scenario are crime scene analysis, Zapata Sheriff's Department; bomb threat response, Department of Public Safety; crime prevention, Border Patrol; crime scene search, Rio Grande Sheriff's Department; traffic investigation, Border Patrol; traffic stop, Laredo Police Department; white collar crime, Federal Bureau of Investigations- Laredo; domestic crisis prevention, Zapata County Attorney's Office; police physical performance (obstacle course), A&M International Police, and pistol competition, Webb County Sheriff's Department and Laredo Rifle and Pistol Club.

A shooting exercise will be held at the Laredo Rifle and Pistol Club. Explorers also have the option to camp on campus and utilize the University's new Kinesiology Building.

Steele noted that events such as these help participants to clarify their career goals.

"We consider this an opportunity to showcase our profession and to encourage youngsters to consider the educational and employment opportunities that exist in law enforcement. The University is proud to sponsor one of only six such Explorer Posts in the nation and the only one in Texas. We hope to someday see some of these fine youngsters enrolling here at the University for undergraduate and graduate programs in Criminal Justice," she said.

This is the second year that the Competition is held in Laredo, Steele said.

In addition to the agencies hosting the various competition scenarios, support has been provided by Texas A&M International University, International Bank of Commerce, El Metro, Judge Danny Valdez, Gamez Brothers Produce, Redline Burger, Cerda Enterprize, US Army 850th Service Co., Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Laredo Chamber of Commerce and the Laredo Independent School District.

For additional information, contact Steele at the A&M International Police offices, 326. 2100.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu