Johnston Explorers graduate from training academy

Whether it’s shoveling snow for the elderly, patrolling parking lots and directing traffic at civic events, or performing physical fitness activities, members of Johnson Police Department Explorer Post 405 always shine as bright as the summer sun.

That was again the case last week, especially Saturday at Camp Varnum in Narragansett, when seven members of Post 405 graduated from the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Explorer Academy.

Two Explorers – Abigail “Abby” Heiser and Aaron Blanco – were cast in special roles during the impressive seaside ceremony, which saw Lt. Patrick McMahon, the academy director from the Charlestown Police Department, present special graduation certificates to a total of 23 young men and women who range in age from 14 to 20.

Heiser had the privilege of singing the national anthem to open the morning graduation ceremony, while Blanco was honored with two individual awards.

“Abby has a beautiful voice and we all were very, very proud of her singing of the national anthem,” said Johnston Police Capt. Thomas H. Dolan, a recent inductee into the Rhode Island Criminal Justice Hall of Fame who coordinates Explorer Post 405 program.

Dolan also heaped words of praise upon Blanco, who received the Academy Leadership Award and ranked first in the academy’s physical training.

“These were two huge honors for Aaron,” Dolan said after the ceremony. “We are all proud of his efforts, and he is certainly deserving of all the accolades that came his way.”

Dolan was also complimentary of Explorers Sgt. Mason Lariviere, Joshua Savard, Lt. Katherine Rocha, Diana Jordan, and Jaelyn Santopadre, who were among the 23-member class of 2016.

Rocha may have been the most unique of all the academy graduates. She sprained her ankle during the week, and after being treated at nearby South County Hospital, she chose to stay on and complete the academy with her fellow Post 405 members.

“On Monday we started off with 23 Explorers, and today we will be graduating 23 Explorers,” McMahon told an audience of parents, friends, and families. “This program runs on a 24-hour basis for seven days, and I’d like to publicly acknowledge and thank the Rhode Island National Guard for allowing us to utilize their facility. It’s certainly a view like none other.”

McMahon also explained that each day of the academy started with Lt. David Pacheco of the East Providence Police Department waking the Explorers up at 5 a.m. for a long list of activities. Those ranged from attending classes to discussing such topics as use of force, defensive tactics, crime scene investigations, criminal law, and procedure, as well as learning about fingerprinting and hearing an FBI officer speak about several investigations that led to the arrest of known terrorists.

The Explorers also learned about how bomb robots work, while others tried on the bomb suit technicians wear. The week also featured lessons about mounted command units.

“While we tried out best to make sure each of them enjoy their week here with the academy staff, we also tried to build and instill in each Explorer teamwork, commitment, respect, dedication, compassion, and safety,” McMahon said. “While discipline was certainly instilled, there were times when they also had just a small amount of fun – like at the beach, a bonfire by the waterfront and banana s’mores.”

The Explorers were accompanied during the camp by Post 405 Deputy Chief Allegra Graziano – who is also the reigning Miss Johnston – and advisor Terry Best.

Because she had already graduated from the academy, Graziano served as an advisor during last week’s camp.

“This was a great experience,” said Graziano, who recently completed a summer internship with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Special Victims Unit. “I got to see the other side of the Explorer program, and that was important. You never stop learning in law enforcement.”

Two other Johnston residents, Providence Police Detective Matthew Pine and Joshua Cascione, also enjoyed their week at Camp Varnum and were joined by fellow Explorer coordinator-advisor Michael Moonan.