917th Airmen stumble upon intoxicating adventure

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs Office
Barksdale AFB, La. --  Civilian and military law enforcement agencies came together at the 917th Security Forces Squadron facilities on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., this week to complete training that has proven to save lives across the country.

The Louisiana State Police and Caddo Sheriffs' Office, with the assistance of the Highway Safety Commission teamed up to teach five days of classes about the Standardize Field Sobriety Test (STST) for local law enforcement officers for their State certification.

More than 24 civilian and military law enforcement officers attended the training. That number included two members of the 917th SFS.

Technical Sgt. Dewayne Akin and Senior Airman Randy Patrick are taking the training for their state certification. Sergeant Akin is a Reserve Deputy for the Panola County Sheriff's Department in Texas and Airman Patrick works for the Shreveport Police Department.

"We've got agencies from the Caddo Sheriff's Office, Red River Sheriff's Office, Coushatta PD, Greenwood PD, Minden PD, Centenary - all of them are out here taking the class," said Senior Trooper Barry Spinney, Louisianan State Police. "This is the second one we've done. There was one last month and we're trying to get one set for August."

Using the facilities at the 917th Wing for the training has had advantages for all the agencies involved, including the tax payers.

According to Trooper Spinney, the use of the 917th Wing's facilities saves the tax payers money since tax dollars are not being spent to secure a location capable of supporting the training classes for five full days.

There are also other benefits to having local law enforcement agencies working alongside their military counterparts.

"When possible, we offer our facilities (to local agencies) so we can have a better interaction between civilian and military law enforcement offices," said Master Sgt. Rick Adey, 917th SFS, senior air reserve technician. "It helps strengthen the bond as police officers."

"This is a primary certification that all law enforcement officers need - even military. When you apprehend a drunk driver, everything has got to be exact. That's why they teach in these classes," Sergeant Adey said. "If it's not (correct), you can't keep the person off the street, or you can't put (them) in jail. You could allow someone to get back out there who could possibly hurt or kill someone. It could be your family, and no one wants that."

The five-day school is comprised of two days of lectures and then two days of practical training where volunteers (not involved in the training course) are brought in to become intoxicated in the controlled environment so the officers can experience the "real thing" where the sobriety tests are concerned. The fifth day covers drug recognition.

The intoxication process is controlled by instructors and staff so no one gets injured or out of control. Intoxication is just to the legal point where officers can distinguish the impairment. Safety for the volunteers is the main concern. During the process, volunteers at Barksdale are escorted everywhere they go in the building. Barksdale Airmen, both Regular Air Force and Reservists are among the volunteers as well as local civilians.

"Safety is a major concern concerning our volunteers. A designated driver (who has already been selected) takes everyone home, and someone (who has already committed to it) has to be there to take charge of them," said Corporal Erik Lawrence, Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office, patrol training coordinator. "We like training here at Barksdale - they give us responsible drinkers who are safe and respectful. Being on base is safer and we can get everyone home safely and easier."

As more law enforcement officers become certified at recognizing the effects of alcohol, a new danger is emerging on the horizon for the officer on the street.

"To the point, more and more (drivers) are not drunk, but under the influence of drugs - mostly prescriptions," said Corporal Rick Porter, Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office. "When I started - drunk driving was everywhere. I averaged three or more DWI arrests a night. Now, I average five to six a month. Drinking and driving is no longer socially acceptable. It's decreasing constantly. But, the number of people on drugs is spiraling out of control from prescriptions they get from doctors. Mix it with alcohol, and it'll hit you like a sledge hammer. That's the problem now."

To meet the new challenge, the last day of the training for the officers will concentrate on drug lectures and interdiction. As things change out on the streets, so does the training to combat those dangers to the public.

Law enforcement officers who have chosen the profession of protecting the citizens in the communities they serve know they must keep up with the challenges they face every day. Constant training is just one of the tools they use.