Four members of the Warwick Police Department’s Explorers Program were among 35 cadets who graduated from the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Explorer Academy under Saturday morning’s sparkling sun that blanketed Camp Varnum in Narragansett.

Post 327 Cadet Anastasia Varela, in fact, really shined by sharing the Academy’s prestigious Physical Training Award.

While Officer Alfred Melucci, who serves as the WPD’s Director for the high-level youth program, was thrilled when Academy Director Lt. Patrick McMahon of the Charlestown Police Department announced Verala as the co-recipient of the PT honor, he later emphasized, “I am very proud of all the Warwick Explorers for their dedication, hard work and commitment to the community all year long.”

The other three Post 327 graduates, who completed a rigorous week-long stay at the seaside Rhode Island National Guard facility, were: Brendan Thornton, who attends Johnson & Wales University as well as Megan Boullier and Sarah Corbin, who are students at Pilgrim High School. Verela attends West Warwick High School.

Melucci, who worked the Academy with fellow WPD officer Brian Fontaine, also wanted it known. “This was another great Explorer Academy at Camp Varnum. The weather was perfect all week and once again the Explorers rose to the challenge to complete a number of tasks.”

They did so, as Melucci and officers from a number of police departments throughout Rhode Island will attest, “in a number of difficult areas that the instructors could come up with like completing an obstacle course, criminal law and hand-cuffing classes and even building searches.”

The 35-member Class of 2017 also shined, as McMahon informed proud parents and family members who attended the Training Academy graduation, “in specialized areas such as DUI and K-9 classes and visiting the highly-regarded University of Rhode Island Crime Lab.”

The entire Explorer unit also had an opportunity to meet with and listen to an FBI agent who has been involved in several high-level investigations leading to the arrests of known terrorists. They also took in a demonstration by the RI State Bomb Squad that ranged from checking out the bomb robot and even trying bomb technician suits.

“This program runs on a 24-hour basis for the seven days we are here,” McMahon told the graduation audience. “We tried out best to make sure they each enjoyed their week while also instilling the values of team work, commitment, respect, dedication, compassion and safety.”

Each of the seven days began with a 5 a.m. wake-up call and physical training with lights out at 9 p.m.

However, as McMahon told parents and friends of the 35 Explorers, “While discipline was certainly instilled, there were times when they also had just a small amount of fun; a few hours at the beach, a bonfire by the waterfront where they learned how to make banana S’mores, and they even climbed the Army’s rock wall.”

Like other Explorers Posts, the WPD-sponsored program is an arm of the Narragansett Council and the Boy Scouts of America, and is designed to introduce young men and women between the ages of 14 and 20 to all phases of police work and those who are already interested in pursuing law a career in law enforcement. Parents who would like further information should call Melucci at 468-4311 or via e-mail at alfred.melucci@warwickri.com.