Air Force calls on civilian cops to join security forces team

Published March 16, 2011
By 81st Securtiy Forces Squadron

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Since Oct. 1, a new strategy has been in place to defend the Keesler community.

The 81st Security Forces Squadron now has 37 civilian police officers as part of an Air Force-wide transition to replace contract security personnel.

The civilian police officers provide stability and offset deployment taskings, according to Master Sgt. Michael Freeck, 81st SFS operations superintendent.

"The arrival of these police officers adds the flexibility of being able to use their skills and experience in all facets of defending Keesler, rather than restricting them to providing entry control to the base," Sergeant Freeck explained.

Every new officer requires a minimum of 12 months of law enforcement experience either in the private sector or in the military. Most of the officers are veterans who served as security forces, master at arms or military police, and several are veterans of Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

"Several of them are still active in the guard and reserve and serve as NCOs, senior NCOs and even commissioned officers while on military status," Sergeant Freeck pointed out. "Many are certified peace officers who previously served as police officers in the civilian sector. Additionally, each officer is required to attend the Federal Law Enforcement Academy in Little Rock, Ark., prior to working unsupervised at Keesler.

"Since their arrival, we've continued to build on their experience as they transition from entry level positions such as installation entry controllers into the most demanding positions, including security response teams, installation patrols, base defense operations center controllers and alarm monitors.

Sergeant Freeck is quick to note that these police officers aren't contract gate guards, but Air Force employees.

"They're highly trained, experienced, professional police officers and we use them in that capacity," he emphasized. "With each passing week, more and more of our civilian police officers are completing their transition and assuming more responsibilities for defending the base in various capacities."