In July 2002, approximately 4,000 law enforcement explorers participated in the 2002 National Law Enforcement Explorer Conference at the Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz. More than 100 Customs explorers came to represent their posts in Newark, Houston, New York, San Juan, Long Beach, Laredo, Chicago, Buffalo, St. Thomas, Los Angeles, and Cincinnati.

The explorers required hours of training and preparation coordinated by Customs inspectors, canine enforcement officers, and agents who double as explorer post advisors. Team events included crime scene search, traffic stop, traffic accident investigation, crime prevention, shoot don't shoot, emergency field first aid, domestic violence intervention, bomb scene search, hostage negotiation, search and arrest techniques, white collar crime, and burglary in progress. Customs employees serve as judges and role players for the crime scene event.

Other events in which explorers participated included the sample police written exam, physical obstacle course, emergency vehicle operation course, air pistol competition, firearms, and the bike obstacle course. There were also seminars available to the explorers covering leadership development, narcotics interdiction, and psychological profiling. The conference also had a career fair.

While all of the Customs explorers were outstanding, three explorers in particular were recognized for their efforts at the conference: Billy Vogt, Cincinnati, Ohio, awarded the $500 Customs Explorer Scholarship; Jose Ruiz, Laredo, Tex., presented with a medal for being a top 20 shooter; Luis Rodriguez, Puerto Rico, placed 3rd in the Crossman Air Pistol competition. Overall, the Chicago explorer post placed 3rd in their team event.

The conference is held every two years at different universities across the country. The 2004 conference is tentatively scheduled for Georgia Tech University in Atlanta. For more information on the Explorer Program, go to the Customs Web site.