A&M International's Police Explorer Post Wins Crime Search Competition

A group of Laredo youths exploring the field of law enforcement recently participated in the South East Texas Law Enforcement Explorer Competition in Beaumont and received first place in one of the most difficult parts of the competition: Crime Scene Search.

The group of seven young people, who represented the Texas A&M International University Police Explorer Post at the 1997 Texas Law Enforcement Explorer Competition, participated in the competition along with 50 similar teams from other cities.

"The University and I have every right to be proud of this group," said A&M International Police Chief Harry Stege, referring to the recognition the team received at the competition. "They have been in existence for less than one year, and for them to have obtained that level of knowledge and ability is remarkable."

The Texas A&M International University Explorer Post, headed by A&M International Police Chief Harry Stege, is an organization that allows youths to learn about the law enforcement career by volunteering for some services that the University Police performs for the university and the community.

A&M International President Dr. Charles Jennett said that the group's remarkable performance in the competition parallels the strong law enforcement study program that exists at A&M International.

"We are delighted that the University's Police Explorer Post is being recognized for its outstanding skills. We hope that the experience that some of the members gather as part of the group will motivate them to embark on a law enforcement career some day," Jennett said.

The crime scene competition required the investigation of a mock crime scene and the collection and proper preservation of evidence, Stege said. In addition, participants were required to mark the evidence properly for future use and have knowledge of legal requirements, he added.

For more information, please contact Stege at 326-2100. University office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to 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