Yesterday at Esperanza Elementary School's Career Day, the 4th and 5th-grade students received a very special opportunity to explore careers within the Farmington Police Department. These occupations are Crime Scene Investigator and Bomb Squad Unit Member.
Crime Scene Investigators, Norma Ibarra, and Q Rogers explained the multifaceted career of a CSI. From writing skills to math and science, this career requires many competencies and a lot of tenacity. Students enjoying the light breeze outside asked what challenges CSIs face, to which Ibarra responded "Rain or shine, hot or cold, 2:00 p.m. or 2:00 a.m., we are on call to respond at all times." This job certainly takes dedication! Ibarra and Rogers then instructed students on how they take evidence, such as fingerprinting a scene. Students can practice these skills at home by using an old fluffy makeup brush, some baby powder, and tape to start lifting fingerprints!
David Rock and Ammon Roberts with the Farmington Police Department Bomb Squad Unit spoke with students about the importance of responding to threats as well as removing and disarming actual explosives. Students were enthralled with the numerous robots stationed in front of the bomb squad vehicle and asked how they worked. Rock and Roberts informed us that the removal of the explosives is done with robots of various sizes. They all have different strengths and are used in certain situations. They are also all equipped with numerous cameras and are controlled by the bomb squad vehicle, it operates much like a video game! Fireworks, dynamite, and other explosives are then transported in the “frag bag” to a safe location for deactivation or storage.
This was such an interesting and insightful look at how many different opportunities students have ahead of them. Thank you to the FPD Bomb Squad Unit and CSI Department for taking the time to share with us!
We would like to thank Esperanza's Counselor Ms. Samantha Silversmith for organizing this wonderful event.