Photo By Britianie Teston | Kirtland's 377th Security Forces Squadron sent an SFS detective to Albuquerque Police...... read more read more
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KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. – A 377th Security Forces Squadron detective recently completed a three-week detective academy hosted by the Albuquerque Police Department, marking a significant step in strengthening investigative capabilities and interagency collaboration.
Kirtland Detective Joel Rinderknecht, a former APD officer and Air Force veteran, attended the academy this March, alongside officers from several local law enforcement agencies, including the Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, Los Lunas, Estancia, and Sandia Pueblo police departments.
The training collaboration between APD and SFS, spearheaded by Lt. Col. Juan Cabrera, commander of the 377th Security Forces Squadron, focused on honing advanced investigative skills such as warrant writing, search and seizure procedures, forensic technology, and courtroom testimony. The program also emphasized the importance of collaboration with the District Attorney’s office and utilizing state-of-the-art resources to solve crimes.
“The detective academy is a critical step in an officer’s career development, giving them the tools to improve their investigative skills for their future casework,” said Michael Gardiner, APD Deputy Commander. “Our partners in other agencies receive the same great training, including advanced interviewing techniques that align with our values in treating the community with respect and taking crime seriously.”
Cabrera, an APD officer of 24 years currently serving as the Security Forces commander on active-duty orders in the Air Force Reserves, initiated the partnership with APD to enhance SFS detectives’ investigative and interview skills. His goal is to establish an ongoing training collaboration between APD and Kirtland’s Security Forces Squadron.
“Kirtland is adjacent to one of the most populated areas of Albuquerque, and having strong relationships with other agencies allows us to collaborate effectively on security inside and outside the gate,” Cabrera said. “This training strengthens our ability to coordinate during critical incidents and enhances our overall security posture.”
Rinderknecht, who served as an APD officer for four years before joining the base’s law enforcement team, said the experience provided valuable insight into APD’s resources and investigative techniques.
“For me, the first week, learning new investigative interviewing techniques was the most beneficial,” Rinderknecht said. “We conduct a lot of interviews in this office, and seeing a new approach to that process is incredibly helpful.”
Beyond skills training, Rinderknecht said the opportunity to work alongside officers from various agencies helped establish key connections that could prove useful in future investigations.
“It was good to see what APD is capable of and what resources are available if we ever need to lean on their expertise,” he said. “At the same time, it’s beneficial to bring some of that expertise back to our team here at Kirtland.”
Cabrera hopes this is just the beginning of enhanced collaboration and training between APD and SFS. He also aims to introduce bike patrol certifications for SFS personnel through APD, further expanding their capabilities and strengthening community engagement.
| Date Taken: | 03.18.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2025 11:19 |
| Story ID: | 494168 |
| Location: | NEW MEXICO, US |
| Web Views: | 25 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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