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Othello Police Explorers honored as Washington State "Post of the Year" at school board meeting
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Summary
Students in the Othello Police Explorers program and their SRO were recognized at the Othello School District board meeting after the team won Washington State's Post of the Year award; presenters and students described hands-on training, ride-alongs and community events.
The Othello School District on Tuesday recognized its Police Explorers program after the group received the Washington State Chiefs and Sheriffs Association Post of the Year award.
The recognition highlighted work by the district’s school resource officer and the student explorers, who described hands-on training including ride-alongs, mock incident responses and a five-day academy that mimics basic police training.
Oscar Lopez, the district school resource officer, told the board the program was rebuilt after COVID and emphasized academic and behavioral standards for participants. "It's kinda like the police version of the Boy Scouts," Lopez said. He said the program has grown to about 13–14 students who have participated in community events, competitions and academies.
Students who spoke described the program as career-oriented and practical. "My favorite part of the program is getting to do ride-alongs with officers. You learn all kinds of things... it's the closest you'll get to becoming a police officer while being an explorer," said Jonathan Garcia, identified as a Police Explorer and program participant.
Chief Grama of the Othello Police Department said the award was the first in the department's history for a local explorers post and thanked the district and the community for the partnership. "For these young men and women to win this award is the first time in the history of the Othello Police Department," Chief Grama said, noting the group was honored in front of several hundred chiefs and sheriffs at the statewide meeting.
Board members and district staff commended the students for public presentations and community service, and thanked Lopez and the police department for their support. The board did not take formal action on the recognition; the item was presented as part of the meeting's recognition agenda.
The presentation included remarks from several student explorers who described competing in scenario-based exercises such as domestic-violence responses and traffic stops and participating in community events and parades.
