Law enforcement jurisdiction now shared by Security Forces, Enid police

  • Published
  • By Capt. Gabriel Yoder
  • 71st Security Forces Squadron
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  As of July 3, law enforcement units with the 71st Security Forces Squadron at Vance Air Force Base have joint jurisdiction in the base housing area and roads leading off base.

Before, only City of Enid police had legal jurisdiction in the housing area and beyond the gates.

Thanks to the hard work of base agencies, the City of Enid and State of Oklahoma, those areas now fall under the concurrent jurisdiction of the city and the United States Air Force.

Those areas on base previously patrolled solely by Security Forces will continue under Air Force jurisdiction.

Everyone on Vance AFB, to include military, civilians and contractors, are now subject to receiving traffic tickets with financial penalties from Security Forces anywhere on the installation.

There are two types of traffic citations: Department of Defense Form 1805, "United States District Court Violation Notice," and DD Form 1408, "Armed Forces Traffic Ticket."

Civilians, including Reservists not on active duty orders, receive DD Form 1805s and military members receive DD Form 1408s.

A civilian pulled over for speeding will receive a DD Form 1805. This citation may have a monetary penalty assigned to the traffic offense as dictated by Oklahoma State law. It can also include points or penalties attached to the individual's driving record as dictated by Oklahoma State law.

A person receiving a DD Form 1805 has the right to request a court appearance. If this option is chosen, or if the citation violator has committed a "must appear" offense, they will be seen by a magistrate judge in Oklahoma City.

Military members receive DD Form 1408s for traffic violations. While this citation does not come with a monetary penalty, it requires the member to report it to their commander and first sergeant within 24 hours. Further action is determined by the unit commander.

Both the DD Form 1805 and the DD Form 1408 can carry point penalties that accumulate on an individual's base driving record. Once an individual is assessed 12 points within 12 consecutive months or 18 points within 24 consecutive months, they may have their base driving privileges suspended.

Points assessed will remain in effect for 24 months.

A local instruction detailing base driving policies, infractions, and penalties is currently under review and will be published soon.

For criminal acts committed on Vance AFB, the Air Force can now work with local law enforcement agencies to determine who will prosecute.

Formerly, crimes committed in areas of Vance AFB falling under the proprietary jurisdiction of the City of Enid could only be prosecuted by the city, unless a military member was the suspect.

With the jurisdiction change, the Air Force is now able to prosecute all crimes occurring on base and will work with local law enforcement agencies to determine the best course of action.

The jurisdiction change will enhance the 71st SFS's ability to provide safety and security for the men and women of the 71st Flying Training Wing, especially those Airmen living on base with their families.