COUNTY — The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post No. 138 was named the state’s 2016 Explorer Post of the Year and earned first place overall during the recent South Carolina Association of Law Enforcement Explorers (SCALE) competition.[cointent_lockedcontent]

Pictured, back row, from left, are Deputy Brandon Brewer, Deputy 1st Class Elijah Chapman, Deputy 1st Class Michael Torres and Sergeant Robert Porter. Front row: Explorer Captain Brandon Smith, Explorer 1st Class Kaleb Grant, Explorer Lieutenant Tyler Brown, Explorer Lt. Caleb Cassell, Explorer Sergeant Maddy Blanton, Explorer Deandre Mansell, Explorer Sergeant Alex Harbin and Explorer 1st Class Eli Harbin.

The annual event was held July 18-22 in North Charleston and is the focal point of the organization’s summer conference, where Explorer posts come together to test their skills and knowledge in pursuit of one day becoming law enforcement officers.

The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office enjoys a strong and dedicated group of Explorers who attend several meetings each month and vigorously train to become first responders in years to come. Eight Explorers from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post No. 138 were in attendance at this year’s SCALE competition.

The 2016 competition was attended by 14 teams of Explorers that were sponsored by 11 different law enforcement agencies.

“Our Explorer program is a reflection of our entire agency in that we strive to serve as a model for other programs to follow,” Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark said. “The future for law enforcement in Pickens County has never been brighter with the quality of young men and women that are already experiencing the calling to serve others through public service. I am so very proud of our Explorer post and of our deputies that graciously devote so much of their personal time to this program.”

The Pickens County Sheriff’s Explorers won first place in the highly sought after award for being named the SCALE Post of the Year 2016 — an award given to the group with outstanding community service and superior leadership.

The 2016 First Place Overall Award was also brought home by the Pickens County Explorers after achieving the highest average score accumulated from team events.

The Pickens County team also finished first in the domestiv violence, armed robbery and open door/burglary competitions.

Local Explorer Captain Brandon Smith and Explorer First Class Kaleb Grant also took first place in the individual pistol and male physical agility competitions, respectively.

The Explorer program is a nationally recognized program among law enforcement agencies. Candidates must meet certain criteria to become a member. Participants must be between the ages of 14 to 21, and anyone under the age of 18 must have the consent and approval from their parent or legal guardian. Candidates must maintain a “C” average in school and must have completed the eighth grade upon being selected for the program.

Pickens County Sheriff’s Explorers often give back to the community through volunteering at large public events, fundraisers and ride-alongs with the sheriff’s deputies.

For more information, contact Pickens County Deputy 1st Class Elijah Chapman at (864) 898-5539 or by email at elijahc@co.pickens.sc.us.[/cointent_lockedcontent]