The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post #2070 took part in the “Winterfest” competition that was held in Gatlinburg Feb. 8-10. This is an annual event held to test the skills and experience of Law Enforcement Explorers from all over the country.
There were 40 Explorer Post competing in this year’s Winterfest and each post was allowed to choose one scenario and then given two other scenarios for competition. HCSO Explorer Post 2070 chose to compete in a cell extraction scenario and out of 16 posts competing, HCSO Explorers placed fourth.
Explorer Eric Crosland was picked to take a Law Enforcement exam, where he placed second out of 42 other Explorers who participated.
HCSO Explorer Sergeant Ben Harvey competed in the individual tactical physical fitness competition and scored 14th out of 39 other Explorers.
The Post was randomly chosen to compete in a D.U.I. traffic stop scenario in conjunction with a unknown trouble scenario. Out of 29 posts competing the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post placed fifth in the unknown trouble scenario and second in the D.U.I. traffic stop.
The competition also included a Class “A” Uniform event and Post 2070 came in first out of 18 other Explorer Post who took part. This is the second year HCSO Explorer Post 2070 has won first place in this event.
Sheriff Jim Hammond said he and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office are extremely proud of the Explorers, who work hard all year in preparation for this yearly event.