Rockwood wins Sheriff’s Explorer Cadet award

Grand Island Dispatch, June 22, 2007

Joycelyn Rockwood, second from right, recently received the Explorer of the Year Proficiency Award from Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard, left. Also in the photo are Lt. Russ Scanio, second from left, and Deputy Bill Harmon.

Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard presented the Explorer of the Year Proficiency Award to Joycie Rockwood on May 16, in recognition of her excellence in law enforcement training activities and her outstanding community service.

The Sheriff’s Explorers Post 505 is an educational program that enables young adults, between the ages of 14 to 20 years, to explore many aspects of law enforcement.

Explorer Cadets receive training in firearm safety and use, self-defense tactics, traffic control, building and burglary searches, criminal law and forensic services.

Guest speakers present information in specialty areas of criminal justice. For example, the Border patrol teaches the Explorers about keys to facial recognition; the coroner shows a film of an autopsy; an undercover agent describes how a drug bust is orchestrated; and an FBI agent instructs the cadets on methods to find perpetrators of Internet pornography. Post 505 members are given tours and an overview of operational procedures of the high security holding center and the Alden Correctional Facility.

Explorer Cadets provide a variety of community services. Joycie Rockwood was highly productive in issuing Safe Child ID cards, which have the child’s fingerprints, picture and additional identifying features listed on it. If the child gets lost, is kidnapped or missing, the parents have the information readily available to give to police agencies to aid in their search and safe return of the child. The Cadets conduct the Safe Child ID program at numerous locations in Erie County – for example, at the Grand Island Fire Hall, at local elementary schools, in Hamburg at America’s Fair, and the Galleria and Eastern Hills malls and at Buffalo parks and festivals. Explorer Cadets also assist sworn officers with non-hazard duties such as traffic control and security at charitable and sporting events.

Participants in the Sheriff’s Explorer Program have many unique experiences related to law enforcement and the legal process. Not only is the program educational and a valuable civic service, it is also fun, as the Cadets compete in challenge courses and sharpshooter games. The people they meet and the skills they learn will be beneficial to them throughout their lives.

For more information on the qualifications for the Explorer program or for a membership application, visit the Web site at www.erie.gov/sheriff, or contact Lt. Russ Scanio at RSCANIO122@aol.com or Liaison Officer Doug Bienko at 716 937-5526.