LAPD trains security forces

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jay Fury
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Two instructors from the Los Angeles Police Department came to Edwards July 9 to 13 to train 95th Security Forces Squadron Airmen on radar and LIDAR procedures.

Officers Troy Williams and Don Inman conducted the five-day training course that covered the calibration and operation procedures for both handheld and vehicle-mounted radar and light detection and ranging.

Because the 95th SFS issues traffic citations to civilian personnel as well as military, they need to know California state regulations in order for them to stand up in court. Since the LAPD instructors are state certified, any traffic tickets the Airmen issue will be valid on and off base.

"We can train them on the equipment relatively fast," Officer Williams said. 

The equipment training is designed to provide the Security Forces with the comfort and reassurance to operate the equipment. It will also give them confidence when they go to court and testify, he said.

Officer Williams said that while Security Forces were eager to learn, the learning process and the exchange of information also helped him learn something.

"I learned a lot from them about the operations here, their concerns out here and the types of traffic violations they see," he said. "With that, I can give them advice from my perspective to help them combat those types of things."

Having the LAPD come out to Edwards to conduct the training helps everyone involved. The networking opportunities are a valuable asset for both the LAPD and the security forces airmen because it allows for continued communication in the future.

According to Tech. Sgt. Edward Eichinger, 95th SFS training noncommissioned officer in charge, the wealth of knowledge the LAPD has provided is invaluable.

"The LAPD does this on a daily basis," he said. "They are so big that they train continuously, so they're functional experts on these materials."

Security Forces received various information from setting up the equipment to testing it to make sure it's reliable. They also learned how to use the system and what could throw the system off to give inaccurate readings. They also learn how to properly testify in court so they can make sure they have grounds to stand on for any citations they issue.

The radar and LIDAR equipment help Security Forces accomplish one of their most obvious duties -- traffic control, Sergeant Eichinger said. Having 27 more Airmen trained in how to use the equipment allows for more effective enforcement.

"In traffic control, we have to measure speed," he said. "The benefit is the more people we can get certified to go out there and control the speed of our populous, the safer our roads are going to be."

Officer Williams said he hopes the training will help Airmen with more than just the ability to issue citations.

"Hopefully, through enforcement, they can also educate the Edwards community about the dangers of speeding on base because the ultimate goal is to save lives," Officer Williams said.