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The 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron joined local police in receiving an award for cooperation, which was the first time such an award had been given to an international partnership.
The International Association of Chiefs of Police awarded their 2016 Civilian Law Enforcement — Military Cooperation Award to the 569 USFPS and the Polizeipraesidium Westpfalz in Kaiserslautern, Germany.
Representatives from both units were on hand at the IACP conference Oct. 16 in San Diego, California.
“This award recognizes excellence in law enforcement cooperation between civilian and military law enforcement agencies in developing innovative joint efforts that lead to improvement in public safety for both military and civilian communities,” said Capt. John-Paul Adrian, 569 USFPS operations officer. “It is bestowed on two partner law enforcement organizations, one military; one civilian, each year by a subcommittee of the IACP. The goal of the committee is to foster a closer relationship between the civilian and military law enforcement disciplines so that each can take mutual advantage of the other’s skills, knowledge, training, research and development, and equipment in the law enforcement field for the benefit of those being served.”
The relationship between local national police and Air Force security forces play a crucial part to keeping U.S. service members and civilians safe.
“This award comes from a prestigious association of international police leaders and means a great deal to the law enforcement officers of both the 569 USFPS and Polizeipraesidium Westpfalz,” Adrian said. “It recognizes the fantastic relationship between the Status of Forces Agreement and host nation populations in the Kaiserslautern Military Community and how we team up every day as part of our combined community. This is also the first time that this award has been bestowed upon an international partnership, so this makes both departments all the more proud to receive this accolade.”
At a press conference Oct. 28 at Polizeipraesidium Westpfalz headquarters in Kaiserslautern, the two units presented the award to the public.
The 569 USFPS and Polizeipraesidium Westpfalz distinguished themselves through outstanding cooperation in support of law enforcement operations in the Kaiserslautern Military Community. During this time, the two agencies crossed the divide between military and civilian law enforcement agencies in order to provide a safer joint community, comprised of 335,000 German and American citizens, according to the citation accompanying the award.
“Both agencies have incredible police officers and professionals,” Adrian said. “Based on these relationships, we are able to better learn from one another as well as operate a combined and truly cohesive team, especially while responding to help members in our community, alongside one another.”
The partnership between the two units ensures the safety and security of the KMC by patrolling the downtown bar district, canvasing neighborhoods during a spree of serial burglaries and engaging in emergency services during manning shortfalls.
