Two days of police skills competitions face some 35 teams of teenage police explorers from throughout California and as far away as Honolulu on Friday and Saturday at Ripon High School for the Fourth Annual Central Valley Explorer Challenge.

The Explorers are being hosted by Manteca Police Department, Ripon Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Tracy and Modesto police departments who represent the Central Valley region. 

The activities will get underway at 8 a.m. Friday in the Ripon High School gymnasium with opening ceremonies heralded by two CHP Explorers playing trumpets and the Ripon Police bagpipers as the some 200 competitors march into the gym. An awards ceremony is planned for 9 a.m. Sunday. Most of the police chiefs are expected to be in attendance. 

CHP Public Information Officer James Smith and Manteca Explorer Advisor Officer Mike Kelly agreed that the program offers a unique and challenging opportunity to young men and women to become an integral part of the law enforcement operations. They can experience the challenges of a career in law enforcement first hand.

“Successful completion of an Explorer Program can open many doors and present many opportunities for the youth of tomorrow,” Smith said, “especially for an Explorer who is planning to make law enforcement a career.”

The events they are being asked to resolve include domestic violence, hostage negotiations, active shooter, obstacle course, hostage rescue, bus assault, driving under the influence evaluation, high risk felony stops, vehicle searches, crime scene, traffic stops, burglary, 5150 individuals and the “officer down” scenario.

Those with questions or have a need for additional information may call CHP Officer Smith at 209.943.8600 or Manteca Officer Mike Kelly at 209.595.6893.