Grand Prairie Reporter

Grand Prairie Police Explorers that took 5 trophies and 3rd place overall at the Capital Challenge Explorer Competition in Topeka, KS. (Front row L-R)Victoria Gonzales, Ashley Rodriguez Jasmine Rhodes and Melissa Ybarra. (Back row L-R) Kendell Alexnder, Tryston Marshall, Michael Marquez and Jordan Smith. ©Bob Fitch/Grand Prairie Reporter - 2013

Eight members of the Grand Prairie Police Department's Explorer post brought back five trophies and placed third overall at the Capital Challenge Explorer Competition held June 15-16 in Topeka, Kansas.

Capital Challenge, designed to be very demanding on the physical and mental capabilities of each Explorer, tested the strengths and limitations of their intelligence, personality, demeanor, and physical abilities, as well as dedication and conviction to the Explorer Program.

Explorers were given the opportunity to test their skills in real life situations including; Felony Traffic Stops, Vehicle Searches, Building Searches, and a Domestic Violence situation, just to name a few.

Explorers also got the chance to demonstrate their abilities in an agility test and a written exam.

Post Advisor Detective Deidra Frazier said, "With four of the eight Explorers having never competed, we knew this would be a learning experience for them. However, all eight Explorers stepped up to the challenge and did outstanding."

The team brought home the following trophies:

1st place - Traffic Stops
1st place - Arrest & Search
2nd place - Unknown 911
3rd place - Hostage Negotiations
3rd place - Physical Agility
3rd place - Overall for the competition

Posted at 08:16 PM | Permalink

The Grand Prairie YMCA with the Grand Prairie Police Department and Grand Prairie Independent School District are teaming up to offer a free Midnight Basketball Program for teens ages 13-18.

The weekly summer program is underway — offered Thursdays 9-11 p.m. — and is designed to offer a safe, positive environment for Grand Prairie youth. Grand Prairie YMCA, 4556 S. Carrier Parkway, hosts the program, and Grand Prairie Police provides officers to interact with the youth while supervising the gym.

In order to register, all applicants must be referred by the YMCA, Grand Prairie Police Department, Grand Prairie Parks and Recreation or GPISD.

For more information on how to register, contact one of the program representatives at:

Grand Prairie YMCA, Matt Foster, 972-642-9632
Grand Prairie Police Department, Alex Bielawski, 972-237-8790
Grand Prairie Parks and Recreation, Danny Boykin, 972-237-8084

Source: City of Grand Prairie

Posted at 05:01 PM | Permalink