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Photo courtesy of Westwood Police. Members of Westwood Police Explorer Post 516 show off their first-place trophy from competing in the 28th Annual Massachusetts Law Enforcement Stations Day in Lynnfield.
6-04-2026 12:40am
Westwood Police Explorers Add Another First-Place Finish to Legacy in Statewide Competition
Darlene Cancell
Editor
Westwood Police Explorer Post 516 earned first place - the group's seventh time doing so in the last nine attempts - at the 28th Annual Massachusetts Law Enforcement Stations Day on Saturday, May 30, at the Lynnfield Police Academy.
In doing so, Explorer Post 516 bested other Explorer posts, cadet programs, and high school criminal justice vocational programs from across the state.
The Stations Day competition was comprised of 16 simulated calls for a police public safety response, and the Explorers had the opportunity to take on the role of police officers in responding to those cass. Calls included crash investigation, shoplifting in progress, regular and high-risk traffic stops, domestic violence, a mental health crisis, and a fight in progress. Individual events included a physical agility obstacle course, competitive swim, a career interview and a driving course. Explorers were expected to show their training in communication, teamwork, de-escalation and rapport-building, along with skills in arrest and search, positioning, and lawful use of force. Explorers' performances were then ranked against the performances of other teams.
"We continue to be enormously proud of our Explorer Post," said Interim Police Chief Michael DiLalla. "They are a talented and accomplished group of young women and men, as well as a critical asset to the Department and Town because of the help they provide with traffic and crowd management at Town events."
The Explorer Post has served the Town of Westwood since 1978. Police Explorers is a national program of Scouting America, formerly known as Boy Scouts of America, with posts in different localities. The group is an opportunity for young people who are interested in law enforcement careers to gain insight and practical knowledge about their field of interest or a related career. Membership in Scouting America is not required. For information or to request an application to join the post, visit the Explorer Post 516 website.
Thanks to Detective Lieutenant Christopher Aylward and Westwood Police Department for contributing this news to Westwood Minute.
