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Abby Burkhart of Stephens County (right) won two competitions staged during an Explorers Academy held in Royston. Burkhart won for the written exam and the driving course.
ROYSTON – The Royston Explorers Post Academy taught and tested the next generation of area law officers last week in a 40-hour course.
The academy, hosted by Royston Explorer Post 103, also included posts sponsored by the Stephens County and Elbert County sheriff’s offices.
Explorers is offered by Learning for Life, an affiliate of Boy Scouts of America, and serves to give young people hands-on career experience.
Royston Police Chief Donnie Bolemon said Friday during the Royston Academy’s graduation ceremony that the post and activities like the academy is important for small law enforcement agencies because it gives him and other supervisors the ability to evaluate potential officers.
The local Explorer program serves young people from ages 14-20.
During the academy last week, cadets were taught law enforcement and life-saving skills in classroom and practice sessions as well as discipline.
Cadets experienced being pepper-sprayed and tasered.
Completing the academy qualified cadets to be eligible for ride-alongs with officers.
The cadets also took part in competitions for shooting and driving and took a written exam.
Awards were given in each discipline.
Award winners were:
• Written exam – Abby Burkhart of Stephens County;
• Top gun – Jonathan Lockhart of Royston; and
• Driving course – Burkhart.
A leadership award, named the Lt. Rodney Pilgrim Leadership Award, was presented to one male and one female cadet for exceptional leadership.
The award was named for Royston Police Lt. Rodney Pilgrim, who is recovering from a medical emergency earlier this year.
Cole Nix of Elbert County and Anna Brown of Royston won the leadership honors.
Officers from Royston as well as deputies from Elbert and Stephens counties, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and other agencies assisted with the academy.