City of Waco, Texas

Police Explorers

Other related links: Police Cadets

2008 Police Explorers

The Waco Police Explorers participated in the 2008 Texas Law Enforcement Explorer Advisor Association(TLEEAA) Competition on April 5, 2008 at the University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson. They came back to Waco with the following awards: 3rd place-Robbery in Progress; 3rd place-Hostage Negoatition; 2nd place-Bomb Threat Response; 1st place- TOP DAWG Advisor(Officer DJ Adams) and TLEEAA 2008 Explorer of the Year Explorer Captain Ashley Rios.

Shown from left to right are Explorer Sergeant Dustin Stiver, Explorer Gene Harper, Explorer Carlos Escobar, Explorer John Gonzales, Officer (Advisor) D.J. Adams. Kneeling from left to right are Officer (Advisor) Sofie Martinez, Explorer Captain Ashley Rios, Explorer Lieutenant Halla Norris. Not shown are Officer (Advisor) Steve Dieterich and Explorer Brandi Gibson and Explorer Josh Hargrove.

Competition Photos

Explorer Lieutenant Halla Norris and her team Explorer Gene Harper and Dustin Stiver placed 3rd in Hostage Negotiations.

Explorer Captain Ashley Rios and her team, Explorer Carlos Escobar and John Gonzales placed 2nd in Bomb Threat Response and 3rd in Robbery in Progress.

Explorer Captain Ashley Rios was selected from numerous nominations as the 2008 Texas Law Enforcement Explorer Advisor Association(TLEEAA) Explorer of the Year.

Waco Police Explorer Halla Norris attended the 2007 U.S. Marshals National Leadership Exploring Academy in Washington D.C. Explorers from all over the U.S. were selected after they each submitted an essay entitled -What Being a Police Explorer Means to Me. From July 14-July 21 Halla attended several classes given by the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshals, FBI, U.S. Park Police and ATF. She also participated in the wreath laying ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. She also got to tour famous sights in the D.C. area.

Waco Police Explorer Halla Norris

2007 U.S. Marshals National Leadership Exploring Academy in Washington D.C.

The Police Explorers program is for youth ages 14- 21. Through the Explorers Program, youth have the opportunity to learn the basic fundamentals of law enforcement and even go on police ride-a-longs. If you would like to know more about Waco Police Explorers, you can contact Officer Sofie Martinez at 750-1760.

Ex- Explorer Blake Knoph was deployed to Afghanistan on April 2nd, 2008 for 7 months. Blake is assigned to the 2/7 Weapons Company in 29 Palms, California. Blake graduated from AJ Moore in 2007.

Waco Police Explorer Post 415 Color Guard traveled to Austin, Texas on May 16th to post colors for the Austin Police Department's Explorer open house. Young adults throughout Austin attended the open house to learn about the Explorer program Austin PD is starting. Our explorers were on hand to answerer questions about police exploring.

2008 Captain Ashley Rios

Captain Rios has been a member since 2004. She has earned her Community Service Award, Perfect Attendance Award, and Tenure Award. In 2006, her peers voted Ashley as Waco Police Explorer of the Year. In 2008, she was unanimously elected to serve as Captain for a 2nd year. She has also given 574.50 hours of community service since 2004. Currently, she is a student at Eagle Academy and plans to apply for the Waco Police Cadet Program and pursue a career as a police officer at the Waco Police Department.

2008 Lieutenant Halla Norris

Lieutenant Halla Norris has been an Explorer since 2006. She has earned the Tenure, Perfect Attendance and Community Service and the National Academy Awards. In July 2007, she was selected to attend the U.S. Marshals National Leadership Exploring Academy in Washington D.C. Halla has contributed 355 hours of community service. In 2008, she was elected by her peers to rank of lieutenant. She was selected as 2007 Waco Police Explorer of the Year. In April 2008, Halla participated in her first Explorer competition and as a team leader and led her team to place in hostage negotiations. Halla is currently home schooled and is planning to become a police cadet and pursue a career as a Waco police officer.

2008 Sergeant Dustin Stiver

Sergeant Stiver has been a member since 2004. He has earned the Tenure, Perfect Attendance, Community Service, and Meritorious Unit Award. He has served as sergeant and lieutenant. In 2008, he was elected by his peers to the rank of Sergeant. Dustin has contributed over 400 hours of community service. He has contributed to the success of the explorer program and the many awards the post has won. Dustin is a graduate of Midway High School and is planning to become a Waco police officer.