- August 22, 2024
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Last month, Police Explorer Kipton Brown became Ormond's first cadet to attend and graduate from the Central Florida Law Enforcement Explorer Academy.
Hosted by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office Police Athletic League, the 21st annual academy was held from June 3-14 and provided participants with the chance to explore all aspects of law enforcement and deepen their knowledge of the profession.
This involved physical training, drills and classwork — a full day's work. As the Academy started at 7 a.m., that meant early mornings for Kipton and Cpl. Jeremy Smith, who drove him from the Ormond Beach Police Department to Seminole State College in Sanford for the program. Crime Scene Technician Victoria Lancaster would then pick him up and drive him back to the station at the end of the day, arriving around 6:15 p.m.
"I had to wake up every day at 4:40 in the morning," Kipton said.
A total of 42 cadets started the program's first phase, in which Kipton participated. Only 37 graduated.
"I think he's one of the sharpest and smartest we've recruited in a long time," Ormond Beach Capt. DW Smith said.
At 14, Kipton is also one of the newest cadets sworn into the Ormond Beach Police Explorers. He started in January, about a month after his birthday. To participate in the Explorers, you have to be between 14 and 18.
Kipton's mom reached out to Smith via email shortly before his 14th birthday to inquire about the Police Explorers. Kipton had recently gained an interest in law enforcement and wanted to learn more. His grandfather was also in law enforcement.
Kipton has demonstrated a lot of drive and ambition for a new cadet, Smith said.
"I envision him to be definitely one of our leaders in this program in a very short period of time," Smith said.
His father Charlie Brown said he felt proud of his son for graduating from the Central Florida Law Enforcement Explorer Academy. He knows Kipton worked hard for it, and said he was grateful for the support OBPD offered Kipton. When Kipton graduated, his fellow Explorers also attended the celebration.
"Day one when we picked him up, he was exhausted and frustrated," Brown said. "I told him, 'Listen, if it's that bad and that hard, you can quit.' He said, 'Nope. I'm not quitting. I'm not allowed to quit.' And that's the last we talked about it."
Kipton said he loved going through the Academy. He said his favorite part was learning about traffic homicide investigations, as they involve a lot of math.
Kipton's participation in the Academy, Smith said, influences the rest of the Explorers. It creates a better disciplinary atmosphere, one all of them enjoy, he added.
The Police Explorers is a recruitment program for future law enforcement officers.
"There's nothing I've come across that I don't like," Kipton said. "Everything. I enjoy every minute of it. I like being here."
Come next school year, Kipton will be a student at Seabreeze High School, where he will be enrolled in the Cambridge AICE program. He's also part of the Halifax Rowing Association.
