Police Week

Tech. Sgt. Dustin Weeks, 14th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog Handler, gets attacked by a military working dog while conducting a MWD demonstration during National Police Week. Security Forces and local law enforcement demonstrated their capabilities and day-to-day jobs to the base and the public. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Daniel Lile)

Police Week

Chief Master Sgt. Mark Cantrell, 14th Security Forces Command Chief, dons the ‘red man’ suit in preparation for simulated hand-to-hand combat against an attendee of the National Police Week demonstration. The ‘Red Man’ is a foam suit defenders use for baton training when dealing with hostile perpetrators. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Daniel Lile)

Police Week

Airmen from the 14th Security Forces Squadron fire a water turret at cones on the “Burn Plane” on Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, May 14 during the Battle of the Badges competition held during National Police Week. During Battle of the Badges, 14th SFS Airmen faced off against Airmen from the 14th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department in activities such as land navigation, weapons firing, capture the flag, firewater accuracy, and softball. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Englar)

Police Week

Tech. Sgt. John Flores, 14th Security Forces Squadron, utilizes night vision capabilities during a Security Forces demonstration for Police Week. Police Week, established by a joint resolution in Congress in 1962, is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring America's law enforcement community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Daniel Lile)

Police week CAFB

14th Security Forces Squadron Airmen salute the flag during the Columbus Air Force Base Police Week retreat ceremony May 15 at Smith Plaza. After a week of celebration, defenders closed the events by honoring all the fallen officers who sacrificed their lives in the past year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kaleb Snay)

Columbus AFB celebrates National Police Week

Published May 15, 2015
By Airman Daniel Lile and Senior Airman Kaleb Snay
14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Columbus Air Force Base hosted several events starting May 11 for Airmen and their families to celebrate National Police Week.

Police Week, established by a joint resolution on Congress in 1962, is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring America's law enforcement community and saluting their sacrifices of the past and future.

"This week commemorates and honors fallen law enforcement officers," said Chief Master Sgt. Mark Cantrell, 14th Security Forces Command Chief. "Additionally it really hones in on the sacrifices law enforcement officers make daily. It's a huge deal to all law enforcement across the country."

During National Police Week, security forces defenders and local law enforcement officers demonstrate their capabilities and daily responsibilities to the base and the public.

"We get to raise awareness with our military working dogs, our equipment and cruisers," Cantrell said. "It kind of gives the public an inside picture of what it is we do, how we do it and what we use to get the job done."

Some of the demonstrations included Military Working Dogs, Taser practice, and even the 'Red Man' who came out to play with attendees of the events. The 'Red Man' is a foam suit defenders use for baton training when dealing with hostile perpetrators.
Although Police Week is essentially to honor law enforcement officers, it is also made to be fun and entertaining while also educational for those attending.

"It's a lot of fun for our guys and it's entertaining for the public," said Master Sgt. Nathaniel Howell, 14th Security Forces Superintendent. "It's important for us to maintain our relationship with the community and to help them understand what we do on a day-to-day basis."

The final National Police Week event on Columbus AFB is a parade throughout the base beginning at building 208 (Security Forces Administration) and ending at Smith Plaza for a Retreat Ceremony May 15.

"I think Police Week is essential, given our current political climate," said Maj. Brenton Pickrell, 14th SFS Commander. "It's an opportunity to honor those law enforcement officers who protect and defend our way of life. Without these law enforcement officers, criminals and negative elements have freedom of action and if left unchecked would take over. At our parade and retreat tomorrow, we will honor the lives of the officers who sacrificed their lives over the past year. When a law enforcement officer falls in the line of duty it sends a shockwave throughout the law enforcement community without respect to the agency or department. We would appreciate your support for our fellow law enforcement officers and for their efforts day in and day out."