2015 National Police Week: “Over & Out”

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Smith
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 17th Security Forces Squadron hosted several events recognizing National Police Week from May 11 to 15. The week honors local and military law enforcement across the U.S.

In 1962, former President John F. Kennedy issued a proclamation designating May 14 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which the date falls on as Police Week.

"Whereas our law enforcement agencies play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms which have been guaranteed by the Constitution to every American citizen; and Whereas it is important that people throughout our country know and understand the problems, duties, and responsibilities of their police departments and that members of our law enforcement agencies recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property, by protecting them against violence or disorder, and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression or intimidation," said Kennedy in the 1962 Proclamation.

In order to help raise awareness and educate members of Team Goodfellow of those problems, duties and responsibilities the 17th SFS hosted several events.

The first of those events was the Drunk Driver Course, in which a participant, in a simulated environment, gets the opportunity to experience the perils of operating a vehicle while under the influence by wearing impairment goggles.

"The goggles give you the same perspective, you would while being intoxicated," said Kenneth R. Kimble III, 17th Security Forces Squadron superintendent. "The only thing is that when you're intoxicated you don't realize just how bad your vision and balance are off."

Next up was the K9, Combat Arms and Drug Display, where security forces members performed demonstrations to raise public awareness for armed forces duties involving military working dogs, drugs and weapons.

"If the public understands what we do, it helps us perform our duties more efficiently," Kimble stated.

Kimble also mentioned that as a security forces member it is his job to help defend the base. If an incident was to occur on base the likelihood of harming a bystander decreases if they know how to move to cover safely and let us do our part.

To mark the end of National Police Week, the 17th SFS teamed up with the San Angelo Police Department to hold a retreat ceremony and commemorate Peace Officers Memorial Day.

"It was great opportunity to work with civilian counterparts from San Angelo," said Kimble. "This week is important for both of us, because it allows us to bring non-law enforcement members to our world and experience what we deal with on a day-to-day basis."