95th SFS to host National Police Week

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stacy Sanchez
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 95th Security Forces Squadron will kick off National Police Week with a summer safety assembly at Branch Elementary School here May 12, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
 
National Police Week began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation to honor the men and women in law enforcement and those who have died in the line of duty.

"Our biggest reason for hosting police week is for people to know who we are and what we do in our career field," said Staff Sgt. Melanie Slagle, 95th SFS police services noncommissioned officer in charge. "We want people to know that we are not just out there on the streets giving tickets. We want to show that security forces has an active role in our community."

The kick off will include a tour by McGruff the Crime Dog to the Child Development Center, Base Exchange and the Military Personnel Flight. McGruff will be joined by a motorcade consisting of a Humvee, all-terrain vehicles and patrol cars.

"A weeklong event like this takes a lot of planning and coordination not just within security forces, but basewide as well," Sergeant Slagle said. "Local law enforcement agencies will also be taking part in some of the events."

On May 13, security forces will hand out free child identification kits and take fingerprints at the Child Development Center.

"The child identification kits are important for families to have in case their child were missing," said Senior Airman Joshua Mitchell, 95th SFS police services apprentice. "We will be there taking the kids photos and taking their fingerprints. Security forces want to keep people prepared in case of an emergency."

A rededication ceremony of Butler Drive will be May 14, 8 a.m., to honor the 10th anniversary of Tech. Sgt. Robert Butler's death. Sergeant Butler was killed during the line of duty here.

To honor all fallen police officers, both military and civilian, a Peace Officers Memorial ceremony will be held May 15, 8 a.m., in front of the Air Force Flight Test Center.

"For this event, we invited local law enforcement agencies from Barstow Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Palmdale Sheriffs and Kern County Sheriffs to participate," Sergeant Slagle said. "During the event, we will have taps played and a 21- gun salute for all fallen officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice."

Security forces will also have displays during the "Save A Life Tour" at hangar 1600 on May 15, 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., and May 16, 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. The displays will include weapons and Humvees as well as demonstrations from the military working dogs here.

"We are looking for base involvement to support not only our security forces here, but our local law enforcement agencies as well," Sergeant Slagle said. "Since I have been at Edwards, I have participated in all the events. It is an honor to provide information and awareness to children, as well as pay tribute to the men and women who have paved the way to make security forces what it is today."

For more information, call police services at 277-6901.