Keesler personnel volunteer to enforce law

  • Published
  • By Steve Pivnick
  • 81st Medical Group Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Master Sgt. Rodney Fisk and Maj. Troy Kirkbride believe in giving back to the community.
Fisk, NCO-in-charge of education and training for the 81st Dental Squadron, has served as a member of the D'Iberville Police Department's Reserve Unit since

January 2012 and just completed the Harrison County Law Enforcement Training Academy conducted at the Adult Detention Facility in Biloxi. Kirkbride, 81st Operations Support flight commander, has been with the D'Iberville Police Department since it was established in October 2007.

"I started the reserve academy in January", Fisk explained. "It's a 16-week program that involved classes three nights a week and all day almost every Saturday. The academic portion included subjects such as writing reports; domestic violence intervention; traffic and criminal codes; the fourth, fifth and 6th amendments to the U.S. Constitution; community policing and many others."

He noted, "The practical portion covered defensive tactics, use of pepper spray (by getting sprayed), driving skills and building searches and clearing."

During his reserve affiliation, Fisk has worked a number of area Mardi Gras parades, stadium security during high school varsity football games, "Click-it or Ticket" campaigns as well as some time on patrol.

"I'm in field training now. Once I complete that, I will be able to go in to the police department, sign out a patrol car and patrol the city whenever I'm needed."

Commenting on his motivation to serve as a reserve police officer, Fisk said, "This is something I've wanted to do since I was a little boy. In fact, I joined the Air Force to become a security policeman but ended up becoming a dental laboratory technician. I enjoyed doing that so much I didn't give much thought to being a police officer for a long time. However, in 2006, I worked as a security forces augmentee for six weeks and it re-lit that old fire to get into law enforcement. Last year, I was given the opportunity to join the D'Iberville reserve unit and jumped at it. It has been a lot of hard work but also a lot of fun. If you are interested in becoming a reserve police officer, just look me up!"
Kirkbride has been volunteering in law enforcement for more than 16 years.

"I started out working for Maricopa County Sheriff Department in Arizona. In 1998, I became a deputy with Harrison County Sheriff Department where I spent 10
Years. I then transferred to D'Iberville
Police Department.

He continued, "The reason I volunteer in law enforcement is because I believe giving back to your community is important. By volunteering as a police officer you have the ability to touch the lives of everyone in that community in some way. You have the opportunity to prevent crime, provide comfort during tragedy, be a mentor to children. But most of all, you can help a person in immediate need, while cultivating security within the community."

He observed working as a law enforcement officer is similar to being in the military.

"Integrity, camaraderie and discipline are key elements to being successful in both the military and law enforcement. When you arrive on scene of a domestic dispute or another difficult situation, you have to be able to remain calm, think on your feet and rely on your partner(s) to have your back. Citizens and your fellow officers put their trust in you when you put on a police uniform, just as they do when you put on your military uniform and trust requires high standards."

Anyone interested in volunteering with the D'Iberville Police Department is encouraged to contact Lt. Shannon Nobles at 228-396-4252 or snobles@diberville.ms.us .