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Team Scott celebrates National Police Week

23 May 2012 | Staff Sgt. Teresa M. Jennings

This year marked the 50th anniversary of National Police Week and 375th Security Forces Squadron members joined with other county peace officers to participate in several events to honor fallen officers.

Team Scott also joined in a memorial service--prior to Police Week--at the St. Clair County Jail to pay respect to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the last year. Officers who attended the ceremony wore a black sash on their shields in honor of fallen brothers and sisters in law enforcement.

"Police Week was kicked off with a breakfast at Scott Club with special guest speaker Col. Richard Neal, Air Mobility Command Security Forces Division chief," said Senior Airman Hollie Batema, 375th Security Forces Squadron police services.

The 375th SFS also held a weapons and equipment display along with the O'Fallon Police Department K-9 team.

During this display, security forces brought a fingerprinting system for parents to have a personal record of their children's fingerprints. Participating parents walked away with a CD containing their children's prints and other physical information in order to provide this information to authorities in the case their child or children went missing.

"When parents use this system, we don't keep any records of it," said Batema. "That is why they are provided the CD. They would all have all the information readily available for the police."

The display also gave children the chance to see the different equipment most law enforcement units would use and ask the peace officers questions.

The week ended with a double elimination softball tournament where members of the 375th Security Forces Squadron Flight Team brought home the victory after a sudden death four inning; one-pitch tiebreaker.

The USO and other sponsors provided a barbecue during the tournament to support National Peace Officers' Day.

"This week is not only a chance for us to honor those who have lost their lives, but it can be used as an educational tool to inform the public of what our job entails and the dangers of our job," said Tech. Sgt. Stacy Trucott, 375th Security Forces Squadron military working dog NCOIC.

President Kennedy set a joint resolution in October 1962 to proclaim May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week of May 15 as Police Week. National Police Week is a time to mourn, honor and celebrate the lives of U.S. law enforcement officers and also a time for the public to learn about law enforcement and appreciate the dangerous job so many choose to do every day.