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Maintaining homestation security

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jocelyn A. Ford
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FARICHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  There will be a slight difference in the uniforms of Fairchild's police officers in the near future: there will be no rank, because the officers will be civilians. The U.S. Air Force Air Provost Program, established in January of this year has been making its way through the Air Force and has started making changes for Fairchild. This initiative is a long-term solution to insuring a stable police force by hiring Department of the Air Force police officers to protect the homefront.

Seventeen police officers, six police officer supervisors, and one assistant operations officer are being hired on Fairchild to sustain continuity of operations. The training is extensive and similar to that of the Spokane Police Academy.

"All of our police officers will attend the Veteran's Administration Law Enforcement Training Center in North Little Rock, Arkansas," said Michael Marro, 92nd Security Forces Squadron Assistant Operations Officer. This is a five-week course that must be completed before the officers can return to Fairchild to receive more training.

Home Station Training consists of two phases. The first is initial training and the second is a continuation of ancillary training. This is to prepare the new officers for "very intensive annual standardization-evaluation testing in the areas of installation entry control, law enforcement patrolling and aircraft and flightline security," said Mr. Marro.

Training is continuous to ensure the officers protecting Fairchild are at the top of their game. Annual testing is required in written, oral and practical forms, as well as remaining proficient with their weapons and adhering to Air Force standards with regards to dress and appearance and physical fitness.

"Our Department of the Air Force police officers will merge directly with active-duty security forces flights with responsibilities to protect military, dependents, Department of Defense civilian and contractor populations and protection level resources," said Mr. Marro. "They will perform and enforce the full range of police officer duties within the military installation."

Prior to this initiative Security Forces augmentation was the only way to meet the demanding needs for in-garrison security, training and law enforcement continuity for Fairchild. This is all about to change.

"What our military community can expect to see from the 92nd Security Forces Squadron is a team approach, with our uniformed members continuing to perform brilliantly downrange, while our Air Force police officers and supervisor police officers remain in garrison to conduct homestation missions," said Mr. Marro.