Military culture of responsibly — community policing Published Dec. 14, 2007 By Maj. Edward Schneider 90th Security Forces Squadron commander F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo. -- Over the years, I have read numerous books dedicated to the philosophy and theories of community policing: the interaction between neighborhoods and police with the attempt to draw communities together to reduce crime, and bring safety and security to homes and families. Only selective environments with close coordination between police and community leaders have produced a tangible reduction of crime or a sense of security in neighborhoods. In academia, this perfect world is often studied, but seldom achieved for any lasting period of time -- until you enter the gates of an Air Force Base such as Warren. Those who study crime will find Warren a true community in which the members police and control the behavior of the residents. On an Air Force installation, one element is present that exists no where else in the world: A military community with a culture of leadership and responsibly. This great military community with a culture of standard and appropriateness is an atmosphere a civilian police officer can never experience or understand. When a civilian police officer arrives at the scene of a domestic situation, they are assisted only by a partner and the training they received from the police academy. The outcome is either an arrest, an on-scene resolution of the problem or, in most cases, no arrest. Unfortunately, for the civilian police officer, they will have a 70 percent chance of returning to the home within five hours to assess the situation again. Let's take that same situation at Warren; security forces are called to the scene, the officers separate the family members and determine if an arrest is needed. At this point, the military community gets involved: the first sergeant is called; the legal office, commanders and superiors are notified. In a military culture of leadership, this is normal and only the start of how we begin caring for our members. This is only one example of what true community policing is all about. Security forces have turned hundreds and hundreds of situations over to supervisors, knowing that we will never be called again because the problem will be solved by caring military leaders. If the civilian police officer had a fraction of the support the military community provides its members, crime scholars would have a realistic model of community policing to study. I'm thankful for all leaders at Warren who embrace a culture of responsibility in this great military community. Members of Warren lead, mentor and correct our neighbors everyday without knowing they are the text book model of community policing. At the end of each day, I'm thankful for those who assist the 90th Security Forces Squadron and this great community.