Changing the guard Published Oct. 2, 2009 By Howdy Stout Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Department of the Air Force Police Officers are now on duty at Tinker in a move to integrate with and supplement members of the 72nd Security Forces Squadron. "They will be responding to incidents right along with us," explains Master Sgt. Merle Norman, operations superintendent for the 72nd Security Forces Squadron. "They're just like one of us." The new Federal Police Force began work Oct. 1, replacing private contract guards at Tinker's Installation Entry Control Points. In addition, Supervisory Police Officers are conducting law enforcement patrols on base alongside security forces members. Once fully trained in federal law enforcement procedures, all supervisory police officers will be able to patrol and respond to calls on base in addition to providing administrative oversight for the police officers conducting Installation Entry Controller duties. They will also be able to administer field sobriety tests, conduct vehicle searches and traffic stops. "And in the event of enhanced Force Protection Conditions, they can help us out," Sergeant Norman says. "It will be nice to have them integrated." As government employees, the new police officers are vetted through normal government hiring procedures, explains Troy Archie, lead supervisory police officer for the new force at Tinker. As fully screened government employees, the police officers are able to undertake duties that contract security guards could not, specifically law enforcement activities. Increased flexibility is one of the reasons the Air Force is now phasing out the use of private contracting companies. Private guards were hired in the wake of 9/11 to augment Air Force Security Forces, including Tinker. "They were brought on board to help augment our forces so we could go downrange," says 1st Lt. Adam Philips, logistics officer for the 72nd SFS. "The current gate guards do a phenomenal job and will be missed," says Capt. Robert Prausa. "Our gate guards have been a huge force multiplier since their employment and we greatly appreciate their service." "This is one more step in the effort for total integration of all security forces on Tinker AFB," added Lt. Col. Troy Roberts, 72nd SFS commander. "The next step is to get our joint partners from Strategic Communications Wing ONE integrated into Tinker's security force as well. Some day in the near future you will see Department of the Air Force guards, U.S. Navy Master at Arms and USAF Security Forces working together as one team, helping defend all personnel and missions on Tinker." Although entry procedures will remain the same, workers and visitors to Tinker will notice uniformed Security Forces Airmen also on duty at the Installation Entry Control Points. Working at the gate will give Security Forces a chance to connect on a personal level with the same people they are charged with protecting. "A lot of young Airmen have never done that," explains Sergeant Norman. "For me, working at the gate was the best part of my career. You really connect with people. I really enjoyed it." "Whenever you make major changes there are bound to be some bumps, but we have put a lot of planning into this transition and just ask for people's patience if we don't get it right from the start," Colonel Roberts said. Although the uniforms at the gate have changed, you might still see familiar faces. Many of the new police officers are either former military or former Chenega Security employees, a company praised by Tinker's Security Forces for their work as the most recent contracting company to guard Tinker's Installation Entry Control Points. For new police officer Corey Lachappelle, Tinker is familiar ground. He served five years in the US Navy stationed at Tinker until joining Chenega. Now, he's an officer in the Department of the Air Force. "I enjoy it," he says.