Behind the Badge
Garden Grove Police Chief Todd Elgin told a gathering of about 200 people what it means to be an explorer.
He knows.
He once was an explorer himself.
Explorer Advisor Cpl. Jason Perkins welcomes explorers and their families to the GGPD Explorer Post 1020 Awards Banquet at the Community Meeting Center on April 18. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The annual awards banquet April 18 for Explorer Post 1020 gathered the current class, their families and friends, some former explorers and about 15 members of the Garden Grove PD for a meal and recognition of achievement by a group of exceptional teens.
“I knew this was the best path to take,” said Joseph Garcia, 19, a five-year veteran of the program. “I knew it would give me experience and mold my character.”
Former Garden Grove Police Explorers who are now police officers are recognized during the explorers awards banquet. From left is GGPD Officer Austin Laverty, Long Beach Police Officer Bryan Pasion, Placentia Police Officer Daniel Rodriguez and Anaheim Police Officer Kevin Avila. To the right is GGPD Sgt. Richard Burillo, Officer Vanessa Brodeur and Lt. Bill Allison. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Garcia, a 2016 Garden Grove High School graduate, has pursued a law enforcement career since his early teens. As soon as he heard about the explorer program he tried to join.
“I had to wait about a year to join at 14,” he said. Now he’s an Irvine Valley College student studying criminal justice and plans to transfer to UC Irvine.
Garcia said he underestimated just how much experience he would receive, but is thrilled because “everything is real and applicable and can transfer to a law enforcement career.”
Explorers gather for the 2016 Garden Grove Police Explorer Post 1020 Awards Banquet at the Community Meeting Center. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Among the award winners at the banquet were Sgt. Jason Brito for Top Hours; Ernesto Guerrero for Most Improved; Sgt. Sergio Jimenez for Most Inspirational; Supervisor of the Year was Capt. Tanner De Padua and Explorer of the Year was Daniel Alvarez.
Explorer Jason Brito receives the Top Hours award, for the third year in a row, during the GGPD Explorer Post 1020 Awards Banquet. From left is Sgt. Richard Burillo, Jason Brito, Police Chief Todd Elgin and Officer Vanessa Brodeur. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Explorer Sergio Jimenez receives the Most Inspirational award during the PD Explorer Post 1020 Awards Banquet. From left is Sgt. Richard Burillo, Sergio Jimenez, Police Chief Todd Elgin and Officer Vanessa Brodeur. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Explorer Tanner De Padua receives the Supervisor of the Year award during the PD Explorer Post 1020 Awards Banquet. From left is Sgt. Richard Burillo, Tanner De Padua, Police Chief Todd Elgin and Officer Vanessa Brodeur. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Explorer of the Year recipient Daniel Alvarez is presented with a photograph of his fellow explorers. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“I was really shy,” Alvarez said.
The 20-year-old credited mentors senior explorer advisor Cpl. Jason Perkins, explorer advisor Cpl. Chuck Starnes and Det. Jose Herrera for his success in the explorers.
Alvarez, also a five-year veteran of the program, gave up his free time during high school either working as a law intern or at explorer events.
“The program really got me out there,” said Alvarez, who recently was hired as a cadet and is now working in the traffic unit.
Explorers typically have higher rates of eventually becoming police officers than non-explorers.
Many also join the military.
Long Beach Police Officer, and former GGPD explorer, Bryan Pasion is recognized during the explorers awards banquet. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Garden Grove Police Officer, and former GGPD explorer, Austin Laverty, right, is recognized for his “Dedicated Service To The Citizens of Garden Grove.” Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Garden Grove Police Officer Cpl. Jason Perkins is presented with the Advisor of the Year, voted on by the GGPD Explorers, during the GGPD Explorer Post 1020 Awards Banquet.
From left is Sgt. Richard Burillo, Perkins, Police Chief Todd Elgin and Officer Vanessa Brodeur. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Garden Grove PD Explorer Blake Rutherford speaks during the event.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
