An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Security forces members join larger Police Week

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tristin English
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  

The 375th Security Forces Squadron joined county peace officers May 12-17 to honor fallen officers and participate in several events to show appreciation for what law enforcement members do daily to keep people safe, and to recognize the sacrifices they make. Prior to Police Week, the 375th SFS  paid tribute at the 32nd Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service, which honored law enforcement and public safety officers from St. Clair County who have given their lives in the performance of their duties.

 

Police Week was kicked off with a breakfast at the Cardinal Creek Golf Course May 12, followed by a golf tournament.

 

A team challenge, which included a 10K run and obstacle course was conducted May 13. Teams of four people ran  around the flightline perimeter, stopping every mile to complete team-building challenges, including  disassembling and re-assembling weapons while blindfolded, a ruck-relay, low-crawl course and fire-team push-ups. The team with the best over-all time won.

 

"The Team Challenge was made for camaraderie. We work together every single day, and it's rare that we get to hang out with each other," said Senior Airman Christopher Balderas, Security Forces Police Services. "We wanted to create obstacles and bring everyone together, bring our minds together and bring a little bit of free thinking to the table. Being able to bring all of that together allowed us to have one big team working as one to overcome the obstacles while overcoming mental and physical stress."

The 375th SFS, along with the local police department, also hosted a display of vehicles, equipment and weapons law enforcement uses daily on May 15. Children were given a chance to ask questions to both civilian and military police officers.

 

A K-9 competition and demonstration took place at the softball fields near the Airman Leadership School at May 17. The Military Working Dog handlers and civilian police departments participated in multiple competitive events to see which team is "Top Dog" in different categories.

The dogs here are trained on various tasks depending on if they are a bomb dog or a drug dog. They are also trained to attack fleeing suspects. Handlers and their dogs train daily to keep the dogs at the top of their game.

 

"Police week is a time to remember our fallen officers, two-and-four-legged officers alike," said Staff Sgt. Bryan Dell, Military Working Dog section noncommissioned officer in charge.  "It is important to have our civilian counterparts come on base and compete with us to build a stronger working relationship and showcase our working dogs. It is just another day of training for the dogs and it's always fun to them, but it's a chance for fellow handlers to get together, have a good time, and share some tips and advice.  In the end it's a chance to honor our fallen and enjoy the bonds that are built between a handler and their dog."

 

In the 1960s, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which that date falls on as Police Week. National Police Week is a time to mourn, honor and celebrate the lives of U.S. law enforcement officers.  It is a time for the public to learn about law enforcement and appreciate the dangerous job so many choose to do every day.