Chief Don Aguilar, front row from left, Senior Officer Yvette Solis (Advisor) Explorer
Natalie Paniagua, Explorer Kevin Navarrete, Explorer Johnathan Robledo, Explorer Francisco Ramos, and Records Technician Sandra Lopez (Advisor); Back Row: Volunteer Juan Olmos (Advisor, law enforcement ret.), Senior Explorer Rafael Hernandez, Explorer Anthony Robledo, Explorer Sgt. Javier Manzanares, and Explorer Kaylie Albores. Courtesy photo.
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SANTA PAULA — On Jan. 17 and 18, 2026, Law Enforcement Explorers from Santa Paula Police Department Post 2350 participated in the “Chandler Tactical Competition” in Chandler, Arizona. There were eight Santa Paula Police Department Explorers who participated and competed with other explorer posts from across the Country. The young men and women from Santa Paula were successful, receiving a 1st place award and a 2nd place award. The national competition, hosted by the Chandler Police Department, included 42 explorer posts representing city, county and federal law enforcement agencies from California, Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado.
The Santa Paula Police Department Explorers 1st place Award was in the Pistol Shoot and the 2rd Place Award for Wilderness Marksmanship. The team represents Explorer Post 2350 and is registered with the Ventura County Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The Post proudly displays their many recent accomplishments on a special dedicated wall in the main hallway of the Police Department. See photo.
The two-day competition assessed explorers’ tactical skills in scenarios including team events in Hostage Rescue, Terrorist Takeover, Crisis Negotiations, Unknown Alarm Response, Narcotics Raid, Downed Officer Rescue, Incident Command System (ICS) Critical Incident, Search and Solve, High Risk Vehicle Stop, Tactical Emergency Medical Support, Team Tactics, Wilderness Marksmanship, and others. Individual events included Shoot/Don’t Shoot, SWAT Fitness Challenge, Pistol Shoot, Sniper Challenge, and others. The skills they applied and demonstrated in the events are a snapshot of the disciplines peace officers learn in their training experiences during a police academy.
Evaluators on each scenario rated explorers on criteria such as pace/speed; overall plan and execution of mission/contingency plans; safety, control, and use of cover/concealment; communication and teamwork; identification of threats; actions taken against threats; decision making; command presence; and leadership. Young men and women between the ages of 14 and 21 who are interested in joining the Santa Paula Police Explorers can email Community Service Officer/Explorer Advisor Juan Navarrete jnavarrete@spcity.org. Congratulations to Santa Paula Police Explorer Post 2350 on another year of tremendous achievement at the competition!
