“It was a great week,” exclaimed Warwick Police officer Alfred Melucci as he stood under Saturday’s sparkling sun at Camp Varnum in Narragansett. “All the Explorers from every post across the state worked very hard to complete this academy.”

A total of eight Warwick Police Department Cadets were included in the Class of 2014 that went through a grueling yet fun week at the annual Rhode Island Law Enforcement Explorer Academy last week at Camp Varnum, the seaside installation operated by the Rhode Island National Guard.

“On Sunday we started with 45 Explorers,” said Lt. Patrick McMahon of the Charlestown Police Department, director of the academy, to family and friends at Saturday’s graduation ceremony. “Due to several injuries and illness, today we’re [only] graduating 41 Explorers.”

Melucci, who heads the Warwick Explorer Post 327, emphasized that, “This is definitely something these Explorers had to earn. It was not given to them.”

The eight Warwick Cadets “succeeded to the highest level” during the weeklong academy.

All 41 Explorers went through physical training every day, as well as classroom work on such subjects as Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), self-defense, narcotics investigation, firearm safety and suspect apprehension.

Each Explorer also learned from law enforcement officials like Darren Delaney, a former Rhode Island State Trooper who lectured and demonstrated about self-defense. They learned about the Bomb Squad – and its Robot – and what bomb technicians actually wear.

One of the week’s highlights came during a rainstorm that forced 15,000 people to take cover at soccer matches at the University of Rhode Island’s Kingston campus.

“The Explorers encountered a nice sunny afternoon that turned into torrential downpours,” Lt. McMahon said. “These Explorers immediately moved into position to assist spectators down slippery stairs and helped with crowd control. Each Explorer stood by their posts, through the rain, drenched to the bone and ready to assist in any way possible.”

McMahon, who presented each Explorer with a graduation certificate, continued, “We tried our best to make sure each of the Explorers enjoyed their week here with our Academy Staff. We also tried our best to instill in each Explorer, team-work, commitment, respect, dedication, compassion and safety. While discipline was certainly instilled, there were times when they had a small amount of fun; a few hours at the beach and an impromptu push-up contest, just to get an extra chocolate chip cookie at lunch.”

McMahon also told the audience about a bonfire by the waterfront, making Banana S’mores and climbing the Army’s rock wall.

Warwick Cadets were also accompanied by Sgt. John Kelly Jr. They were Joseph Mee; Cadet Sgt. Dallas Ballard; Cameron Conroy; Daniel O’Brien; Cadet Sgt. Pamela Reummele; Nicholas Thompson; and Adrine Lill.

“Our Explorers started working toward this goal in September,” Melucci explained. “We sent eight Explorers to the Academy this year and are very proud of how they conducted themselves all week. Exploring is a great program for young adults and I would strongly encourage any young person to join.”

The Explorers program is actually part of the Narragansett Bay Council of Boy Scouts that is run by police throughout Rhode Island. Young people ages 14 to 20 who are interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement usually sign up. Applications and information packets are available at the Warwick Police Headquarters in Apponaug.