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Security Forces display their skill for National Police Week

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Aaron Oelrich
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  Police vehicles, the sound of gunfire and military working dogs barking normally wouldn't create smiles; however, that is exactly what happened during the Police Week fair held at the Navy Exchange Mall, May 13.

The Police Week Fair put the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam military police on display, showcasing their military working dogs and combat arms training during the event.

"We love to show civilians our capabilities and what we do on a daily basis," said Tech Sgt. Burt Tagaloa, 647th Security Forces Squadron police services. "Today we have put together a police fair where we will interact with the public to let them know the services we provide them and let them know we are here for them whenever they need us."

The combat arms  training and maintenance team demonstrated the power of the M249 rifle using blank ammunition, as well as using different firing positions. After the demonstration the officers answered questions from the crowd.

"This is cool seeing everything in person and every one was helpfully explaining how they operate," said Jasper lazaro, who attended the event. "I really liked talking to the officers and think this is a great thing they are doing." 

Following the powerful demonstration of the M249 weapon system, the MWD showed their crime stopping skills.

The crowd watched as the MWD handlers demonstrated a high-risk traffic stop where the suspect, Staff Sgt. Matthew Zantene, 647th SFS MWD handler, dressed in a dog training personnel protective outfit, refused to leave the vehicle. All eyes were on the Staff Sgt. Joshua Chase, a 647th SFS MWD handler, as he gave the command to Chewy, a 647th SFS MWD, to jump into the vehicle and subdue the suspect allowing Chase to take control of the situation.

This type of activity is normal for the MWD officers however, it created a large crowd at the NEX.

"Part of our job is community policing and community relations," said Tech Sgt. Jonathan Williams, 647th SFS kennel master. "These demonstrations show our capability and it shows that the [K-9 units] are out there with their animals keeping people safe on a day-to-day basis. Especially in locations like the NEX and the military housing located off base. This shows that the dog teams are around and that they can and will find a suspect."

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.