- April 5, 2025
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The Ormond Beach Police Explorers: Dawson Taylor, Jordyn Queen, Lilyan Shields, Abigail Queen, Emily Garcia, Diane Lancaster, Elijah Daly and Kipton Brown. Photo courtesy of the Ormond Beach Police Department/Pauline Dulang
Ormond Beach Police Crime Scene Technician Victoria Lancaster, cadets Dawson Taylor, Jordyn Queen, Lilyan Shields, Abigail Queen, Emily Garcia, Diane Lancaster, Elijah Daly and Kipton Brown, Capt. DW Smith and Cpl. Jeremy Smith. Photo courtesy of the Ormond Beach Police Department/Pauline Dulang
Emily Garcia is sworn into the Ormond Beach Police Explorers. Photo courtesy of the Ormond Beach Police Department/Pauline Dulang
Cadet Lt. Dawson Taylor is sworn out of the Police Explorers. Photo courtesy of the Ormond Beach Police Department/Pauline Dulang
Cadet Abigail Queen. Photo courtesy of the Ormond Beach Police Department/Pauline Dulang
Ormond Beach Police Cadets Dawson Taylor and Kipton Brown. Photo courtesy of the Ormond Beach Police Department/Pauline Dulang
The Ormond Beach Police Department held its first awards ceremony for its Police Explorers program on Friday, March 28.
At the ceremony, the department awarded cadets for achievements such as completing over 100 hours of community service, competing in Delegates and Florida Association of Police Explorers state competitions, academic achievement by maintaining a high GPA during school and more, according to a statement supplied to the Observer. The Police Explorers added one more cadet to its ranks, Emily Garcia.
The ceremony also honored Cadet Lt. Dawson Taylor, who was sworn out after aging out of the program, which is designated for youth ages 14-18.
"Upon reciting the oath ending my time in finality as a cadet of the Ormond Beach Police, I was subject to a monsoon of thoughts and emotions," Taylor said in the statement. "This organization that had treated me like family and taught nigh incalculable lessons that I will think back on for the rest of my life was giving me one final solemn responsibility."
He first joined the Police Explorers in 2021. The program, he added, has pushed him outside of his comfort zone, allowing him to further his leadership skills and better prepare him for emergency situations.
"Most importantly, I learned about people, why people matter, and why people are the most valuable aspect to any occasion," Taylor said.
Cadet Kipton Brown was recognized as the "Outstanding Cadet of the Year. In a statement to the Observer, Brown said he loves everything about being a cadet with OBPD.
"I’ve made some lifelong friends with my fellow cadets and with my advisors," Brown said. "I love all of it. The program has helped me in many things, not just with police work. I’ve become more confident and strong with speaking, along with just making me more of an open person, and I’m thankful for that. I wouldn’t trade the time I spend at cadets for anything in the world.”
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