Police Week goes off with bang

Published May 26, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Dennis L. Sloan
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst security forces celebrated National Police Week May 16 through 20 here, in honor of fallen military and civilian police officers.

National Police Week started in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day.

"In 1982, the first National Police week honored fallen police officers with games and competitions," said Staff Sgt. Alia Dumas, 87th Security Forces Squadron operations support organizer.

The JB MDL National Police Week featured static displays, shooting competition, military working dog demonstration as well as a K-9 competition.

The K-9 competition was between local police stations and security forces MWD from the Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard. The dogs were tested on bomb and narcotics detection, high risk traffic stops as well as overall obedience. Pemberton Police Department received top dog award in the competition and 87th SFS received first place in the bomb detection category.

"The military working dogs assist us in our everyday police duties and deter crime," said Staff Sgt. Allison Price, 87th SFS MWD trainer. "The dogs can detect narcotics and explosives at a much further distance than we can, providing us with greater security and effectiveness."

A MWD demonstration was conducted after the competition was complete. The demonstration featured servicemembers guiding their MWD's through the six phases of controlled aggression.

A shooting competition, between local police stations and military security forces units, was held after all the MWD competitions and demonstrations were completed. The competition was divided into four categories: precision, tactical, team event and match. Stafford Township Police Department received first place in precision, tactical and match categories making them the top overall team. The U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center placed first in the team event.

Community members were not left out of Police Week. Information tables for children to adults were set up at the JB MDL Exchange and commissary. Humvee's were on display for community members to sit in. Weapons were also on display with a subject matter expert to explain their use and effectiveness in the field.

"We have community involvement to inform them of the security services we provide on a daily basis," said Ashley Taylor, 87th SFS non commissioned officer in charge of plans and programs.

Closing ceremonies honored those who competed during police week and also honored fallen police officers.

"We celebrate Police Week to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice their life," said Senior Airman Xaimara Otero-Ortiz, 87th SFS consignment and operations support non-commissioned officer. "Whether they are military or civilian police officers, whether they perform their primary duty of protecting this nation's people home or abroad, they deserve to be honored."