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| News > Feature - Airman dedicates time to fight crime |
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SUMTER, S.C. (AFPN) -- Tech. Sgt. Tim Allen has been a volunteer South Carolina constable for three years. He is with the 682nd Air Support Operations Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Airman dedicates time to fight crime
Posted 12/16/2005 Updated 1/25/2006
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by Senior Airman Joel Mease
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
12/16/2005 - SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- For one Team Shaw member, protecting and defending all enemies foreign and domestic is something he takes to heart.
Tech. Sgt. Tim Allen, 682nd Air Support Operations Squadron, is a volunteer constable for South Carolina.
In South Carolina, a constable is a commissioned law enforcement officer by the governor, said Tech. Sgt. Allen.
Any person who wants to volunteer for the program can. If selected, after a background check, the person will be given law enforcement training and can choose to work whenever he or she wants, said Sgt. Allen.
The program assists law enforcement officers with their duties. The constables volunteer their time and do not get paid, said Doug Belote, a deputy sheriff with Sumter County.
"When you have a second person riding along with you it can really help make the job safer. Sometimes (Sgt. Allen) will be able to see something like drugs or a weapon that I would miss because of my vantage point," said the Sumter County sheriff deputy.
Sgt. Allen said he first heard of the program from a member in his squadron who was doing it at the time.
That was in 2002; now three years later Sgt. Allen is still with the constable program and says he loves every chance he gets to get in a squad car and help keep Sumter safe.
"I had been interested in law enforcement all my life, so this was the perfect opportunity to try it," said Sgt. Allen.
"The constable program is a really good program if you want to try law enforcement after getting out of the military," said Mr. Belote.
This year alone Sgt. Allen has made 75 arrests, and seized $15,000 in drug money, $30,000 worth of drugs and eight stolen weapons.
A native of Sumter, Sgt Allen said, "This is my community. I want to see Sumter a safer place for everyone."
Because of his volunteer work this year, Sumter County has honored Sgt. Allen as Constable of the Year.
"It’s just very rewarding knowing you’re taking drugs or stolen weapons off the streets," said Sgt. Allen. |
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