5th SFS conducts joint training with civilian counterparts

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The 5th Security Forces Squadron came together with the Minot Police Department to conduct Standardized Field Sobriety testing at the Security Forces Training building Feb. 29.

According to Tech. Sgt. Roger S. Butler, 5th SFS NCO in charge of police services, the two-day training course gave Defenders the tools necessary to help identify someone who is possibly driving under the influence of alcohol.

Both classroom instruction and hands-on teaching was provided to both MPD and SFS personnel in training, which included working with live subjects who were under the influence of alcohol, in controlled environments.

Butler explained the MPD has appropriate certified personnel to provide this type training. Thus, they work in conjunction with their civilian counterparts, offering the resources necessary, to offer this training here on base.

"We try to work with Minot PD as frequently as we can," Butler said. "This was an opportunity for their patrolmen, as well as for our personnel in training, to attain certification."

Those in training are able to use what they learn out in the field, explained Butler. Part of the training involved classroom instruction on what to look for to be able to locate possible DUI suspects on the road and included the correct tests needed for the right adjudication process.

One of the more unique features this training offered involved the use of live subjects for training demonstrations. For this training, volunteers were given a two-hour time frame to drink alcoholic beverages. Later they were used as test subjects by MPD training instructors, who conducted breathalyzer and Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus tests which provided a unique side to a hands-on type of training.

"We showed how we can determine the level of intoxication in the eyes through different variations," said Butler. "We can see how the eyes are tracking or following an object that we have placed in front of them."

Butler stressed that having the opportunity to train in a controlled environment with live intoxicated subjects was paramount in recognizing and detecting signs of a driver under the influence.

"Without this type of training it's almost just a guessing game," he said.

Having done various duties throughout the security forces career field, Butler explained the importance of making sure patrolmen on this base have the certification they need to do their job at the best available opportunity they can get.

"This kind of training is given all throughout the country. It is nationally recognized, so if our patrolmen PCS, they will still be certified in this type of training," Butler said.

In doing this type of training, he said, they can help save lives and get drivers under the influence off the road.

"It is unfortunate that sometimes people don't plan as well as they should," said Butler.

Overall, he said that while the coordination took some time to get everything to fit schedules, the training went well and it helped add to the building of a better cohesive unit between the military and civilian police agencies.