55th Honoring Security Forces National Police Week > Offutt Air Force Base > Article Display

The 55th Security Forces Squadron hosted various events across the base May 13-17, 2024 to honor and celebrate National Police Week here.

The annual memorial date dates back to 1962, when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day and the week in which that day falls as Police Week. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen spoke to a crowd of first responders during the opening ceremony of Police Week in Offutt.

“The government’s highest responsibility is to ensure the safety of the people,” Pillen said. “I can’t thank everyone here enough for answering the call from the police, sheriffs and state patrol and keeping us safe. We ensure through our history that we remember the people who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

This week, Lt. Col. Andrew Ferguson, commander of 55th Security Forces Squadron, wanted to share some of the Security Forces culture with the community.

“My military law enforcement officers and our civilian police colleagues are not the same. Our Security Forces Airmen and Navy senior staff are often deployed far from home,” Ferguson said. “They protect Department of Defense assets and personnel at military installations, on ships and in combat zones around the world.”

Ferguson pointed out the differences between military and civilian police and also spoke about the differences that bring them together.

“Beyond that difference, what we share with our civilian law enforcement professionals is much deeper and more meaningful,” Ferguson said. “Whether military police or civilian police, we put on our uniforms, lace up our boots, strap on our body armor, raise our weapons and get to work to serve and protect.”

Some Security Forces personnel and Offutt team members participated in various events on base, from a memorial service honoring their fallen, a shooting competition, a demonstration of military working dog skills, tasing, oleoresin capsicum spray or pepper spray competitions, an obstacle course and the End of the week with a golf tournament.

Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Schultz, 55th Security Forces Squadron first sergeant, wanted to show his subordinates why it was important for them to participate in these events.

“As a senior leader and their first sergeant, I wanted to endure the things they endure in a day-to-day life that ties me intimately to the mission and show them that if I can, they can and hopefully they can too “Be one Inspiration and motivation for them to get dressed every day,” Schultz said.