SBPD Explorer Post 911

Planning events and meeting content for the next year. This is what is coming up.

Crime Scenes
Building Clearing
Domestic Violence Training
First Response First Aide
Hostage Negotiation
F.A.T.S. Training (shoot/don't shoot)
Traffic Crash Investigation
-Vehicular Damage
-Mock Crash
Drugs
-effects
-D.A.R.E. guest speaker
Fraud/White Collar Crime
Fire Dept.
-Tour of Central Station
-Presentation
-Involvement with Fire Dept. Training
Ongoing Traffic Stop Training

There all also a group of activities that may or may not be included within the next year.

SWAT Presentation
Bomb Squad
F.A.C.
NEST / Street crimes
Tour of the Jail

Each of the planned activities will go towards merit bars recognized nationally by Explorers.

Our next meeting will be held on January 25, 2009. Possible DNR winter presentation or movie.

If you are not able to attend please let us know asap. If you have not attended a meeting before please feel free to join us. Contact Cpl. Koczan for more information.

Sorry for the lack of updates. We have spent the summer being fairly active with training on traffic stops, scenarios, law training classes, and with other activities.

Our summer car wash was a great success as was our concession sales at the August police auction, in raising post funds.

Most of our updates are being done at our mySpace page- check us out! http://www.myspace.com/southbendpoliceexplorers

We are still recruiting for several new members, due to some birthdays of members who have hit the 21 year old mark. If interested, download an application from our Explorer webpage, or pick up a copy at the SBPD front lobby.

More exciting events and training is planned for us this fall- join us!!

*REMINDER*- Next Meeting will be Sunday October 19th, at 5PM

The July 26th Car Wash fundraiser was a success, with ten of the 16 Explorers in attendance and working VERY hard. We raised $300.00 in about four hours, which will go towards purchasing Class C Tshirt wear for training exercises, and some new member uniform needs.

The signs turned out to be a good idea and helped pull in several cars off the streets. We will plan another one for next month to build upon our momentum!


I also uploaded pics from the event on our myspace page! Take a look!

Labels: carwash

Our last meeting was used to discuss and plan some post business, including the promotion of D. Johndrow to the rank of Sgt. New job descriptions and organization of the post leaders was set into place.

Welcome to our newest member Devyn D.

We discussed upcoming events like our Car Wash fundraiser this Saturday. and other upcoming community events:
- SBPD Riot Squad practice assist
- Crime Stoppers Walk assist
- Crime Prevention National Night Out
- ND Football games/schedule

Our post cookout has been rescheduled to early August as well. More to come.

Over the next several months all the Explorers will be responsible for developing a LE presentation for meetings as well. Developing the skills for leadership and speaking to each other.
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Serving with P.R.I.D.E.
Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Duty, and Empowerment
PRIDE

Our Post motto is "Serving with P.R.I.D.E.", which stands for Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Duty, and Empowerment.

Professionalism involves high standards of character and competency, and a heightened level of commitment. I expect all Explorers to "look smart" and show their pride in being a part of the South Bend Police Department.

Professionalism means having policies and procedures that are current, accurate, and reflect our goals. It means having standards that ensure we are recruiting and employing the best qualified and most competent Post members we can. Professionalism means having high levels of specialized training. Most importantly, professionalism means high standards of conduct and ethical behavior.

Respect means to treat everyone with courtesy and esteem. This just does not relate to our dealings with the public, but with everyone with whom we come in contact during the course of our work, including co-workers, neighbors, other county employees, citizens, suspects, and even inmates. Even arrestees or prisoners are called "Mr." or "Ms." and --perhaps-- given a degree of respect they have never experienced before by officers. The same is expected of explorers.

In return, we expect them to show respect to us in a way that encourages cooperative behavior. If showing a modicum of respect to an arrestee helps build rapport and promotes a smoother work environment, it stands to reason that showing more respect to citizens and co-workers would make our work environment more pleasant.

Integrity means uprightness, honesty, and sincerity. People of true integrity reflect these qualities in all phases of their lives, not just at work. Without integrity as an agency, we have no credibility. Integrity is the most important dimension of a law enforcement officer. We, as police are, and should be, held to higher standards of conduct than the general public.

Integrity means more than just honesty. Integrity is a strict, self-imposed code of behavior associated with moral excellence. Honest mistakes can be tolerated and dealt with through additional training or corrective discipline. However, untruthfulness will not be tolerated and will lead to dismissal.

The actions you partake in now "in the moment" can come back to haunt you down the road- like during the hiring process. As an Explorer, more is expected of you than your average citizen.

Duty, obligations, and responsibility denote an action that one is bound to perform. Duty is that which is owed or due. Obligation, that by which one is bound. Responsibility, that for which one must answer. What is our duty? To "Serve and Protect". Sure, it's is cliché, but one worth thinking about because that is exactly what police officers are charged to do. Even as an Explorer, you still serve the public at large, to serve our community, and to help protect the lives and properties of our constituents. Duty to whom? To the community, to the Explorer organization, and to each other. That duty takes precedence over personal needs, desires, and friendships.

A good supervisor empowers his/her subordinates to solve problems and gives the employee the tools they need to do the job, enabling the employee to manage themselves. It is the opposite of micromanaging, but doesn't mean doing anything you want. A primary responsibility of a supervisor is to train, mentor, and enable subordinates to make good, sensible decisions on their own.

Character First
My goal as Explorer Advisor is to strengthen members of the SBPD Explorer Post by promoting excellence in character.

Essential Character Qualities?

The following ten character qualities are viewed as essential to being a member of the South Bend Police Department Explorer Post:

* Thoroughness v. Incompleteness
Knowing what factors will diminish the effectiveness of my work or words if neglected
* Truthfulness v. Deception
Earning future trust by accurately reporting past facts.
* Self-control v. Self-indulgence
Rejecting wrong desires and doing what is right.
* Enthusiasm v. Apathy
Expressing joy in each task as I give it my best effort.
* Benevolence v. Selfishness
Giving to others' basic needs without having as my motive personal reward.
* Responsibility v. Unreliability
Knowing and doing what is expected of me.
* Decisiveness v. Procrastination
The ability to recognize key factors and finalize difficult decisions.
* Discernment v. Shortsightedness
Understanding the deeper reasons as to why things happen.
* Dependability v. Inconsistency
Fulfilling what I consented to do, even if it means unexpected sacrifice.
* Creativity v. Underachievement
Approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective.

Possessing these qualities in increasing measure will keep us from being unproductive and ineffective in the performance of our duties, and will help to prepare you for a successful career in Law Enforcement down the road.

Our Explorer Post MySpace page is up and running now also. Check us out and friend us to stay informed. http://www.myspace.com/southbendpoliceexplorers

We were lucky to have Officer Mike Fox from the DNR Conservation Police come abaord for the meeting as a guest speaker. Officer Fox discussed his issued water safety equipment, talked about watercraft enforcement, Boating While Intoxicated, and about the role of Indiana Conservation Officers.


Officer Fox will be putting on two more lectures this year- in the fall on hunting laws and firearms safety, and another in the winter on snowmobiles and winter enforcement- both will be hands on for the Explorers!

Upcoming Events:

Car Wash Saturday July 26th 12 noon-4Pm
Riot Squad Practice assist Monday July 28th 0800-1200
FOP Corn Roast Cleanup - Saturday July 19th Time TBA
Next Meeting July 6th and 20th 1700 hours.

On Saturday June 21st the Explorer Post 911 assisted with the Stayin' Afloat fundraiser for Suicide prevention awareness, at Seitz Park/East Race in South Bend. Explorers provided traffic detail assistance with the 10K marathon route, and our own Explorers J Boettcher, W. Forstinger, D. Johndrow, and Lt. H. Szymanski participated in the Raft race.


The Explorer Post 911 raft entry won the first round, but lost in the second bracket to the SBFD raft. Not too bad! Going all the way next year.



Capt. K. Marvel also went on the motorcycle ride portion of the event!

Labels: stayin afloat

The Sunday June 15th meeting covered a few topics and discussion of upcoming events:

-Saturday June 21st we will be helping with the Stayin' Afloat fundraiser, to be held at Seitz Park/East Race downtown, with 10K race registration and event traffic direction.

Dress code will be casual attire, with Explorer traffic vests to be worn.

Explorers Szymanski, Boettcher, Forstinger and Johndrow will be participating and representing the Explorer Post in the Stayin' Afloat raft race! Good luck!!

-Final details on needed uniform items were gathered and will be obtained, hopefully for the next meeting. South Bend Uniform will be assisting with our final details

-Other post business included dues collection and discussion of upcoming events.

-Our car wash fundraiser is tenatively scheduled for Saturday July 12th, from 12pm-3pm at the police station at 701 W Sample. Details to follow!

-Upcoming events and training will be on uniform appearance and formations, as well as ongoing S.T.O.P.S. training, and another practical handcuffing exercise.

-Our next meeting will be Sunday June 29th were Indiana Conservation officer Mike Fox of the Indiana DNR will be our guest speaker on the role of the ICOs and a look at what they do!

- We will also be hosting an open house evening in early August for new recruiting going into the 2009 school year. More to come!

Our June 6th Meeting covered our ongoing training of the traffic S.T.O.P.S. program covering tactics of vehicle traffic stops, with classroom lecture.

We also welcomed two new members, explorer Jessica Boettcher and Wil Forstinger into the group.

Next meeting will be June 15th at 5pm!

The January 20th meeting was a business meeting. Explorer Steve Szilaygi was on leave from his duties since joining the Marine Corps and attended, speaking to the Explorers about Marine Corps values and experiences so far.

Other items discussed were about our community service car wash held January 13th at the station where Explorers offered free car wash and donation detailing service for officers' squad cars. We will be holding more of these events to keep the city fleet clean! We also raised approximately $125.00 in donations from this event!

In addition, new ranks and positions were opened up and announced by Cpl Koczan as follows:
Explorer Captain: Kody Marvel
Explorer Lieutenant: Heather Szymanski
Explorer Sergeant: Krista Garcia
Explorer Corporal: Marc Chiddister

These members represent the ranking structure of the post and we will be holding executive leadership meetings periodically in 2008 to plan our goals and events.

In addition, we discussed our uniforms which are here, and have had patches installed. These will be distributed for the February 3rd meeting, which is our next scheduled event. (Building searches will be the topic)

As a reminder the post will be having our regular meeting this Sunday January 20th at 5pm which will discuss post business and updates. See you there!

Our first meeting of the new year was held January 6th. Cpl. Koczan and Cpl. Lane held training on the Traffic STOPS program with some practical exercises on traffic stop scenarios. More of this training will be held to walk through realistic scenarios on traffic stops and successful resolutions to a traffic stop.

Cpl Koczan also announced that rank openings are going to be opened up and expanded upon. Rank openings in the Explorer command as follows: Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant, and Corporal. The corporal position will function as secretary, with higher ranks to be structured as post leaders. Any Post 911 member interested in applying for this office is to submit a brief officer report explaining your interest by the January 20th meeting.

Other business:
- Community Service- Explorers will hold a free car wash for officers Sunday December 13th from 12 noon to 4pm at 701 W Sample, weather permitting.
- Uniforms- Uniform shop was closed last week for holidays but will be taken in this week for patch equipping, and distribution next meeting.
- Dues will be collected at next meeting, Sunday January 20th.

Our 2006 meetings ended with December 30th meeting, which we finally received our Class A uniforms! The equipment was inventoried and partially distributed pending arrival of the uniform tailoring.

Classroom-wise, we covered a brief History of Law Enforcement as part of our 60 hour LE education module.

Our next meeting is planned for January 6th.

The Explorer Post will hold our next training meeting this Sunday, December 30th at 5pm. The next following meeting will be January 7th. This upcoming meeting will focus on the History of Law Enforcement and we will be going over our plans for 2008 events in the community.

In addition I am pleased to announce that our post UNIFORMS have finally arrived! Please be sure to attend.

Membership spots are still open, with three spots remaining for qualified persons ages 14-20 who are interested. Contact us for more information!

The December 2nd meeting continued the arrest module with a look at searches, specifically vehicle searches. Cpl's. Lane and Koczan presented instruction on vehicle searches, including a look at hidden compartments and where contraband, specifically drugs are commonly hidden in vehicles. Explorers then spent hands-on time performing vehicle searches looking for mock "drugs" that were hidden.

Our next meeting is Sunday December 16th, which will be the post Christmas party, to be held at Barnaby's on Jefferson, at 5:30 PM.

Topics discussed were a fundraiser idea regarding a raffle, and charter dues will also be due this month.

Cpl Anthony Pearson assisted in our class on handcuffing and arrest/search techniques, which allowed everyone to get hands on training with basic handcuffing procedures.

Business discussed was as follows:
- Uniform and equipment updates
- Next meeting will be THIS SUNDAY, December 2nd at 5pm
- Crime Prevention is hosting another mock bank robbery training this Wednesday we will be helping with.
- Plans discussed for a Christmas Party to be held in December.

We had one new member attend this meeting as well.

We are also holding an open enrollment for new applicants from now through December 15th. If you are interested in finding out more information on our post, you may comtact Cpl Edward Koczan at 235-5858, ext 2185 (voice mail). Leave your name, age, school, and telephone/email contact information.

I will be happy to schedule a time to meet, go over information on out post, and provide you with an application packet, or you are also allowed to attend one meeting to determine your interest. Currently a limit of five applications are available. If interested, please get in touch!

The Explorers will meet this Sunday, November 11th at 5pm at the police station.

Attendance is mandatory and will cover new post business, equipment, and training to be announced. Monthly Dues of $5.00 will be collected at this time. Please be sure to bring your post notebooks for training.

Other updates to discuss is new equipment that is both here and ordered, and other upcoming training announcements! Please be sure to attend!

The Sunday November 4th meeting has been POSTPONED until the following Sunday, November 11th, at 5pm. A callout announcement will be following. Meeting topic will be either a continuation of the traffic crash investigations, or possibly a handcuffing and searching class. More details to follow depending upon the instructor's availability.

Dues of $5.00 will be collected from here on out, beginning with this meeting.

I am also pleased to announce that our traffic vests are in hand finally, and will be distributed at that meeting for the non probationary explorers.

In addition, I got some great news regarding other equipment that I will share at the next meeting- please attend!

The meeting on OCtober 21st covered Crash Investigations, including what to do at crash scenes, and an overview of the Indiana state Crash report form. More field investigations will take place at the next meeting. If weather cooperates we will go to a local tow yard to analyze crashed vehicles as part of an investigation.

Thanks to our three new members for coming aboard!

We discussed a possible Krispy Kreme pre-sale fundraiser and a carwash for the future. More to come!

The October 7th meeting was held and we discussed some upcoming events, as well as post leadership change, with Sgt. Hall leaving as advisor. As the meeting promarily focused on business and upcoming plans I will recap some here.

Ridealongs are now back in effect for Explorers who have enough community service and meeting credits. If interested contact Cpl Koczan with requested dates and times.

UPCOMING EVENTS
- Mock Bank Robbery October 15th 1110 S Main
- ZooBoo Saturday October 27th 5pm-9pm
- Next Meeting Sunday October 21st 5pm, Police department.

The next meeting (October 21st) will be covering Crash Investigations, and weather permitting, with a field exercise on information gathering and crash report writing.

OTHER AREAS DISCUSSED/UPCOMING MEETINGS
- DUI/DWI detection
- Traffic and Crash Investigation
- Recruitment and Hiring Selection
- Strategies and Tactics Of Patrol Stops (STOPS)
- DRT/ERT/SWAT
- Emergency Vehicle Operations (EVOC)
- FireArms Training Simulation (FATS)- Shoot/Don't Shoot scenarios
- Evidence/Property Procedures
- K9
- Bomb Squad
- Physical Testing/Training
- Arrest and Search Techniques
- Handcuffing Techniques
- Crime Prevention
- Emergency First Aid
- Hostage Negotiations
- White Collar Crimes
- Use of Force Training
- Airsoft Simulations
- Bike Patrol
- Crime Scene Tech/Phototraphy

FUNDRAISERS were also discussed. I will be looking at hosting an upcoming carwash. In addition a Port A Pit sale and/or Krispy Kreme Orders are being looked at! I'll keep you posted.

See you on Sunday.

the post has not held meetings in September due to scheduling issues and post funding issues. The nexxt meeting will be a business meeting to be held Sunday October 7th at 5pm to discuss future plans and advisor changes in the post. Please be sure to attend.

Again, a sad reminder of the dangers that ANYONE in Law Enforcement can face.

FORT MYERS, Fla. – A 20-year-old participant in a police apprenticeship program has died from a gunshot wound he suffered while trying to stop a robbery.

Gerald Rabon, who was a Lee County Sheriff’s Department Explorer, was shot in the head while struggling with two robbery suspects at a gas station last week. He died Friday while receiving treatment at Lee Memorial Hospital.

“My son was a good kid. He should not have died the way he did,” said Gail Rabon, choking back tears. She and her late husband adopted Rabon when he was 10. Gail Rabon described her son’s biological father as a career criminal and said her son decided to take a different path.

“He made the right choices in his life,” Gail Rabon said.

The sheriff’s department planned to seek a murder charge against the suspects, Iris Moreland, 27, and Chad Moreland, 24, who is accused of firing the shot that hit Rabon. They currently face a robbery charge.

The Explorer program, like many across the country, seeks to teach teenagers and young adults about law enforcement.

“I just felt a pit in my stomach when I saw that (sheriff’s) star and his identification card at the hospital that night,” said Sheriff Mike Scott. “He was a good kid. He really seemed to gravitate toward law enforcement. I think he just liked the whole idea of being there for others.”

Rudy Lampron, a neighbor, said he was not surprised Rabon would struggle with a gunman.

“He was that kind of kid,” Lampron said. “He was always looking to do the right thing.”

Our meeting planned for Sept. 2nd was rescheduled due to the holiday and will be held this Sunday, Sept. 9th at 1700 hours. Please attend. Planned topics will be building/vehicle searches!

Next meeting following will be Sept 16th, however there is also a planned community clean up at 0800 on Saturday 15th. More info on this will be given at Sunday's meeting!

This meeting featured the presentation and review of the new policy and procedure manual which was handed out to all Explorers. A presentation on Radio Procedures in use by the SBPD was presented by Cpl. Koczan.

Business orders discussed were the upcoming events:

Sept 15th Neighborhood Clean Up
October: ZooBoo
October: ND Traffic Details


More details will follow on these events at the next meeting, which will be held Sunday Sept. 9th (this week's meeting postponed due to the Labor Day weekend).

Two other orders of business were handing out of Explorer polo shirts, belts and hats to give the newer Explorers a uniform appearance, and saying goodbye to Steve Szilyagi, who is leaving the post tp join the Marine Corps and serve his country, we wish him well!

August 7th was the National Night Out against crime walk, which was held at Howard Park. Explorers Heather Szymanski and Vernaldo Malone staffed the SBPD Training & Recruiting booth handing out materials and goodies.

Saturday August 11th was the annual police auction and the Explorer POst sold concessions, snacks, hot dogs and sodas. Early reports hsow that we raised over $200.00 for the efforts. Thanks to Explorers Heather Szymanski, Kody Marvel, Krista Garcia and Charlie Parilla for your efforts in staffing the booth. Some plans were made to update our presence and signage for future events to make it an even bigger success!

The next meeting will be THIS upcoming Sunday August 19th. We will be discussingt he new post rulebook and discussing Radio Procedures!

The Sunday July 8th Meeting was involving our 8 Explorers in training and hands on demonstrations to be certified in operation of the T3 electric personal patrol vehicles.
We practiced inside the garage and also took laps around the station!

Next meeting will be Sunday July 22nd at 5pm.

Just a reminder that this Sunday's meeting will be at the central police station at 701 W Sample at 5pm (1700 hours).

Practical meeting topic to cover a presentation by Cpl Keenan Lane and Cpl Edward Koczan on patrol techniques and training on the new T3 personal electric patrol vehicle!

The Sunday 6-24-07 Meeting was with a focus on Ethis in Law Enforcement Training, with a portion coming from the actual ILEA police Officer pre-basic academy class instruction by Cpl Koczan and Det. Sgt. Hall.

Explorer Officer Courtney Deming also celebrated her birthday on this date and the unit partook of not one but two kinds of cake to celebrate!

Business meeting updates covered officer reports from those interested in the Explorer Sgt. opening, and on updating the Explorers on uniform and equipment updates.

Ethics covers a two hour module of the 60 hour training course of the post curicuulim, of which Ethics covers a four hour module on human relations.

Next planned meeting is Sunday 7-8-07 at 5pm, which will be a practical field excercise meeting.

The meeting on Sunday 6/4/07 was our first on the new Sunday date and was our practical week. This included a presentation and demonstration on the use of StopSticks as our pursuit terminiation device, with Explorers throwing and setting up StopSticks (even in the light rain). We then moved inside with some interesting traffic stop scenarios with Sgt Hall and Cpl Koczan.

The next meeting date will be Sunday June 24th at 5pm. Plan to attend. This will be a business meeting with uniform and equipment updates, as well as appointment of Explorer Sergeants.

It is also Expl. Courtney Deming's 18th birthday. Look for cake!

There has been a lack of updates on the Explorer page. At our last meeting I advised members that we will be keeping up on more news and information on the blog page here.

With that in mind, I will give you a few reminders:

POST MEETINGS ARE NOW HELD EVERY 1st and 3rd SUNDAYS FROM 5pm-7pm.

Attendance at both monthly meetings is required for ridealong credit.

The next post meeting will be June 3rd, at the police station from 5-7pm. Topics planned will be on vehicle stops/pursuits, with a practical demo/practice on Stop Sticks!

If you have any questions contact Sgt John Hall or Cpl Edward Koczan!

New Members are encouraged to sign up- see our main Explorer page for contact information!

As a reminder, the uniforms for the Explorer Post are finally here. The next upcoming meeting for Group 1 (March 29th) they will be distributed!

Welcome to the SBPD Explorer Post 911 Weblog. This portion of the site will be used for announcements, news, updates and information about meetings and other events for our members.

This is maintained by Ptlm. Edward Koczan, who is an afternoon shift (2nd Detail) patrol officer and the webmaster of the southbendpolice.com website. Please be sure to bookmark and check back with us often for upcoming events and news.