39 SFS promotes National Police Week through May 17

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Ray Bowden
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  To promote and enhance the partnership between Incirlik's law enforcement community and the rest of the wing populace, the 39th Security Forces Squadron will hold several on-base events until May 17 to commemorate National Police Week. 

National Police Week began Oct 1, 1962, when President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 into effect, which designated May 15 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day and the week in which May 15th falls as National Police Week. 

The goal of National Police Week is to honor law enforcement officers, pay tribute to fallen officers and promote police awareness. 

"According to www.nationalcops.org, a law enforcement officer gives up his or her life for the respective community every 57 hours," said Tech. Sgt. Yvonne Groves, 39 SFS Combat Arms Training and Maintenance noncommissioned officer in-charge. "National Police Week will commemorate their sacrifice." 

As part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 which President Bill Clinton signed into effect as Public Law 103-322, the U.S. Flag is to be at half-staff on National Peace Officers' Memorial Day. 

Along with paying tribute to their fallen civilian and military comrades, 39 SFS Airmen will host a variety of activities. 

"We're going to reach out to the kids with a coloring contest and we also will host several security forces displays and demonstrations at the Base Exchange, May 17, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.," said Sergeant Groves. 

Among the demonstrations Sergeant Groves refers to will be fingerprinting, security forces vehicle and weapons displays, military working dog demonstrations and a "bike rodeo" to promote bicycle registration. 

Base community groups will join security forces personnel to arrange activities which promote positive police and community relations. 

"The main purpose of National Police Week is to build stronger partnerships between policing services and the communities we serve," said Sergeant Groves. "As security forces members, we try to build a positive partnership with whatever base community we serve." 

Lt. Col. James Collins, 39 SFS commander, believes National Police Week can be appreciated by all Airmen, not just those serving as security forces members. 

"Regardless of our particular AFSC we all place our lives on the line in defense of our country," he said. "In today's Air Force, you don't have to be a security forces member to understand and appreciate the camaraderie of the warrior. Whether serving in civilian law enforcement, or as Airmen, we are all warriors. National Police Week celebrates the sacrifices made by those women and men who dedicate their lives so that others can live free and safe."