FWBPD Tour

U.S. Air Force Maj. Christopher Sheffield, 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron commander converses with Darrell Bruhn, captain of the Fort Walton Beach Police Department, during a police department tour at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Aug. 27, 2010. The purpose of the tour was to share information and techniques in order to serve the community more efficiently. (DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force Airman Caitlin O’Neil-McKeown/Released)

FWBPD Tour

Ted Litshauer, Fort Walton Beach Police Department chief of police shoots a military weapon while on a tour at Hurlburt Field Fla., Aug. 27, 2010. The purpose of the tour was to share information and techniques in order to serve the community more efficiently. (DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force Airman Caitlin O’Neil-McKeown/Released)

FWBPD Tour

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jason Slevin, U.S. Air Force Special Operations School force protection NCO in charge, exhibits and identifies different types of weapons for the Fort Walton Beach Police Department while on their tour at Hurlburt Field Fla., Aug. 27, 2010. The purpose of the tour was to share information and techniques in order to serve the community more efficiently. (DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force Airman Caitlin O’Neil-McKeown/Released)

FWBPD Tour

Members of the Fort Walton Beach Police Department watch a demonstration of the military working dogs and their handlers while on a tour at Hurlburt Field Fla., Aug. 27, 2010. The purpose of the tour was to share information and techniques in order to serve the community more efficiently. (DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force Airman Caitlin O’Neil-McKeown/Released)

1st SOSFS give local police base tour

Published Sept. 7, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Sarah Martinez
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron hosted a base tour for the Fort Walton Beach Police Department at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Aug. 27.

The tour consisted of a weapon and military working dog demonstration and a visit to the Dynamics of International Terrorism range, in an effort to build a strong working relationship with the FWBPD.

"We need to be able to jointly support one another," Capt. Brenda D. Franklin, 1st SOSFS operations officer said. "(For instance) we may need to rely upon them to come on the base to assist with a real world situation."

The FWBPD hosted a similar tour for the 1st SOSFS, earlier this year, showing off their assets and capabilities. Both units discussed what each department could bring to the table.
"They invited us out to their facilities," said Captain Franklin. "And we discussed what we can provide them like (training or assistance) and what they can do for us."

Captain Franklin conducted similar tours with civilian police departments overseas before hosting them here. Networking with civilian counterparts is critical to working successfully together.

"This is a really awesome part of my job," Captain Franklin said. "We get to learn from them and they get to learn from us."

After their initial briefing at the security forces building the group headed toward the DIT range for a weapons demonstration. The FWBPD saw the 1st SOSFS' different types of firearms and even shot off a couple of rounds at designated targets on the range.

The 1st SOSFS then brought out a K-9 unit to demonstrate bomb detection and attack commands, as another capability Hurlburt Field has to offer. The FWBPD watched as a dog sniffed at a couple of containers to locate a 'bomb' and another dog chomp on the wrap of one of the dog trainers.

"Our police department is getting two K-9 dogs and starting two new trainers for them," said Rose Berry, Patrol Division FWBPD captain. "We are hoping that with the assistance of (1st SOSFS) the dog training will go smoothly."

As the tour came to a close, the FWBPD headed back to the security forces building for closing remarks, questions and concerns. The FWBPD got the opportunity to comment on their tour experience.

"The training has been exceptionally well and I've learned a lot," Mrs. Berry said.

The 1st SOSFS's mission statement is to provide unequaled force protection for special operations worldwide. The FWBPD is responsible for protecting and promoting community safety, ensuring the safe and orderly movement of traffic, and for seeking solutions to any problems that threaten the quality of life in the City of Fort Walton Beach.