Acworth Police Explorers prepare for MACE through simulations
Adviser Jason Laroque is pinned to the ground in this overdose scenario. The acting officers are Wagner, who pins Laroque with his knee, and Bernard who puts the handcuffs on because Laroque simulated becoming aggressive and starting to run away.
August 29, 2014
Acworth Police Explorers continue to prepare for the Metro Atlanta Competition for Explorers (MACE) on October 4 by completing multiple simulations and trainings that mimic real life safety situations.
“This is more than police explorers. With skills you learn, they also apply to the civilian world,” explorer and North Cobb alum Jontel Simon said.
On Tuesday, August 19, explorers stood at their post, the Acworth Police Department. Explorers practiced simulations such as DUI traffic stops, Buy/Bust Take Down, Domestic Dispute, Active Shooter, Missing Persons, Unknown Trouble, Overdoses, and Hostage situations. On this day, they focused on two of many important trainings essential to success at MACE.
Sergeant Samson tells Explorer Lieutenant Birkett what position he will playing in the next traffic simulation. “Elliot you will be in charge of this next scenario, remember this one will be different,” said Sergeant Samson.
Their dedication continues because explorers participate all year around, but during the school year they meet Tuesdays six to eight PM. A group of explorers outside in the parking lot executed a mock traffic stop. Explorer Simon said that “the judges at MACE are looking for officer safety, control of the situation, correct charges and proper use of lethal force if necessary.”
The Explorers listen intently to their instructor, Sergeant Samson, as he explains the actions needed next. In the last scenario they failed to interview the suspects. “The debriefing is helpful in learning what we did wrong, and will help us in for the competition”, says Explorer Canady.
The explorers inside split themselves into two pairs, but both sides engaged in an overdosed criminal investigation. The overdose situation that explorers senior Jazeri Comstock and senior Natalie Prado participated in consisted of display of negotiation skills and search and arrest skills due to the suspect developing hostility. Explorers senior Zachary Wagner and alum Vaughn Bernard used their skills to determine whether or not to search a house because the suspect had illicit materials on him. These realistic trainings all prepare students for the once a year MACE and the arms race of trophies against their rival post Cobb County explorers.
Explorer Birkett and Cervantes approach the car carefully, as Birkett checks the drivers’ license. This is an important factor in traffic stops. “Its fun to improvise and mess with the acting officers.”
Senior Elliot Birkett, senior Duncan Canady, and Simon look forward to winning three or four trophies this year as well as experience more scenarios with different plots. As observed, the simulations appeared intense because the advisors try to make the situations as realistic as possible. Comstock says, “we are all excited and we have been training hard. We are also looking forward to it because it is a lot of fun.”
