412th SFS celebrates National Police Week

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  • By Rebecca Amber
  • Staff writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  With military bases in Force Protection Condition Bravo, the 412th Security Forces Squadron is working tirelessly to ensure Edwards Airmen are safe. These increased security measures came in the midst of the week dedicated to recognizing their service - National Police Week. 412th SFS kicked off the week with a military working dog and weapons display at the Base Exchange May 5 and ended with an open invitation to the multi-agency End of Watch Ceremony in Bakersfield, California.

May 7, SFS personnel along with base firefighters were invited to participate in a First Responders Cookout at Arnold Park.

Throughout National Police Week, security forces had one goal in mind, encouraging an open line of communication with the whole base community. According to Staff Sgt. Jason Hoffman, Police Services NCOIC, communication allows them to do more proactive policing by directing people to appropriate helping agencies.

"Protection of life and property are our number one priority when it comes to law enforcement on the base," said Hoffman.

Security forces has two major types of service, home station and expeditionary.

Airmen serving at a home station are comparable to a civilian police service. They arm up every day and go on patrol, respond to emergencies and investigate crimes. But unlike their civilian counterparts, Air Force police officers have additional responsibilities like installation entry control and flightline security.

Adding an extra degree of challenge, security forces members have to move around a lot.

"Every time you get to a new base you have to adjust your job knowledge and your standard operating procedures will change depending on that particular bases mission set," said Hoffman. "Civilian law enforcement could have one guy in one department for 20 years. He knows the city inside and out and can establish a more permanent rapport."

Air Force Security Forces also handles air base defense, which is its own separate philosophy and regulations. It covers everything from perimeter defense to the physical personnel and assets at Edwards.

"That's why our gates are where they are at, that's our first line of defense," said Hoffman.

According to Hoffman, for that reason, an entry controller's duties are far broader than what most people see. They are responsible for constant visual reconnaissance of the area, commercial vehicle inspections and they have to be prepared for a wide array of emergency procedures.

The new Visitor Control Center at the West Gate has "completely transformed and enhanced" the level of security to the base defense. It allows security forces to run a background check on every person who visits Edwards. 

Any security forces defender could be asked to change gears and be sent on an expeditionary assignment. In a deployment assignment, they might be trained with light infantry tactics or work in detainee operations.

"Our role actually changes, it can transform completely," said Hoffman. "We don't wear our berets over there, we wear helmets and we're trained to kick down doors and clear rooms just like the Army."

Then months later, they are sent back to a home station and put back on patrol.

Security forces also has specialized career fields in the Military Working Dog Unit and Combat Arms Training and Maintenance.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. 

"People have given their lives for you and most of the time you've probably never even met them. Nothing means more to us than a member of the public coming up, shaking our hand and saying 'thank you for your service.'"