Photo By Staff Sgt. Candace Mundt | Soldiers of 385th Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade and Fort...... read more read more
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FORT STEWART, Ga. – The tie between law enforcement agencies and military installations is integral to the wellbeing of the community they serve and protect. Often, on-post and off-post emergency service organizations conduct drills and exercises to test preparedness and response procedures. Other times, they join forces simply to benefit their citizens.
Soldiers of 385th Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade and the Directorate of Emergency Services (DES) of Fort Stewart, Georgia teamed up with members of the Georgia State Patrol, Hinesville Police Department, Liberty Country Sherriff’s office and local Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms office May 12. Together, they ran from Stewart into Downtown Hinesville carrying a flame in front of their formation in support of this year’s State Summer Games of the Special Olympics.
“The Law Enforcement Torch Run involves more than 1,000 law enforcement officers from over 100 agencies who take part in a torch relay to pass the Special Olympics Georgia ‘Flame of Hope’ across the State,” said Maj. Charles Mallard, deputy operations officer for DES, during an opening message to the formation prior to the run.
“The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest annual fundraising event benefiting Special Olympics Georgia,” Mallard continued. “This signature event plays a significant role in Georgia’s Special Olympics annual budget and their ability to conduct the Special Olympics Games in Atlanta.”
The agencies started planning for the event in February and met every two weeks since to finalize details.
“It gave me a sense of pride as a military police officer to work side-by-side with our local, state and federal law enforcement officers in support of such a worthy cause,” said 1st Lt. Keith Cohen, Fort Stewart’s lead planner for the event.
Together, representatives of each office raised $2,500 by selling hats and t-shirts for Georgia Special Olympics.
“It was a great opportunity to partner with our local agencies and the Fort Stewart MPs for this event,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Balkcom, post commander of Georgia State Patrol Post #11 in Hinesville.
“We work with our local law enforcement partners on a regular basis, but it is not every day that we get to interact with the MPs on such a personal level,” Balkcom continued. “To be running alongside these men and women and to see how enthusiastic they were to be involved in such a meaningful event was an awesome experience.”
Participating in such an event wipes away the serious veneer some citizens picture when they think of law enforcement. Balkcom said it shows their human side and the care they have for their people.
“We have to interact with the community in a positive way and get to know our citizens on a personal level if we want to be successful in our mission to keep communities safe,” Balkcom said.
This year’s Georgia Special Olympics is scheduled for May 19-21 at Emory University in Atlanta.
| Date Taken: | 05.12.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.16.2017 16:53 |
| Story ID: | 234067 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 81 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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