Security forces, military police observe Police Week with events

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaksa --  Every year in the spring on JBER, military and civilian law enforcement come together and remember those who have fallen in the line of duty.

At the beginning of National Police Week, a ceremony is held with a mandatory formation of the 673d Security Forces Squadron. The ceremony honors all police forces, both civilian and military, who have perished. The tradition started May 15, 1962, which was named Peace Officers Memorial Day and initiated Police Week.

"The purpose of Police Week is to honor those who have died in the line of duty," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin White, desk sergeant at the 673d SFS, a native of Henderson, N.C.
The SFS and the 793d Military Police Battalion schedule events such as mlitary working dog demonstrations and a weapons display to show the public what they do on a daily basis.

"It gets the public more involved with what we do," White said.

The MWD demonstrations show the public how determined the military working dogs truly are, in search and rescue as well as in hostile situations.

A weapons display May 14, demonstrated by members of the SFS and military police from JBER showed how they use firearms and how useful they can be.

Not all of the weapons they use are lethal - the baton for example. It is only used when a suspect is out of control and will not cooperate. Officers use the baton to get the individual down on the ground to protect themselves and keep the individual from harming others.

Organizing these events is a big job that requires help from all the personnel who work in the SFS, including White. Events are different every year during Police Week, due to new ideas the SFS team thinks of.

"Anyone can come up with something new," White said. "They just need to have a safety plan with that idea."

Another event is a ruck march. It not only builds morale but also honors those who have sacrificed their lives while in the line of duty, White said. He wanted the SFS to participate as much as possible to show pride in what they do every day.

"I came to the ruck march not only to remember individuals lost while on duty but to remember my friends that I have lost over the years," said Tech. Sgt. Jeremy West, 673d SFS, a native of Pensacola, Fla.

All the members who participated in the ruck march needed a rucksack and water to participate. The weight of the ruck was up to the individual.

To wrap up the week on May 18, volunteering military police members participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run with the Alaska State Police in Anchorage. The worldwide torch run, in which law enforcement personnel run and host other competitions, is a grassroots event which, since 1981, has raised money for the Special Olympics.