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The 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron executes U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s largest law enforcement mission covering 1,100 square miles, providing police services to more than 57,000 Department of Defense personnel.
Weekly, several members of the squadron head to downtown Kaiserslautern to build relations, keep the peace and patrol the streets at night during high-risk time periods. These Airmen join the Kaiserslautern “Ordnungsamt,” or office of public order, and German Polizei on walking patrols, roaming the entertainment district from Wednesday to Saturday nights.
“(The patrols are here to) show, because of the presence of so many Americans, that the U.S. military is taking responsibility and supports the local government with their law enforcement duties,” said Zivil Polizei-5 Gerhard Wessollek, 569th USFPS team leader.
The joint walking patrols in the downtown area started as a partnership and have now developed into a friendship built through joint training and exercises. That friendship developed from shared experiences such as helping lost tourists, taking drugs off the street or breaking up fights.
“It shows (our German neighbors) that we are here to not only help Americans and protect them, but working together with our host nation partners to make the community safer for all residents, Americans and local nationals,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Friend, 569th USFPS installation patrolman.
There may be translators around, but language is not a hindrance whether it’s the Polizei or Airmen approaching a suspect. Both sides ensure the other is backed up and ready to help, which instills mutual trust.
Polizei Kriminalhauptkommissar David Giesler said the joint patrols have not only reduced the crime rate in the Kaiserslautern area, but have also created a better operating environment for first responders in downtown Kaiserslautern.
Wessollek and Friend, along with the Polizei, hope to keep building a positive relationship and ensure public order. The 569th USFPS hopes to continue being a proven partner not only in Kaiserslautern, but also throughout its area of responsibility.
