Airmen dedicates time to fight crime Published Dec. 22, 2005 By Senior Airman Joel Mease 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFPN) -- For one Airman here, protecting and defending all enemies foreign and domestic is something he takes to heart. Tech. Sgt. Tim Allen of the 682nd Air Support Operations Squadron, is a volunteer constable in South Carolina. In South Carolina, a constable is a law enforcement officer commissioned by the governor, Sergeant Allen said. 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, Sergeant Allen said. 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 (Sergeant 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. Sergeant Allen said he first heard of the program from an Airman in his squadron who was doing it at the time. That was in 2002. Now three years later, Sergeant Allen is still with the constable program and said 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," Sergeant Allen said. "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 Sergeant Allen has made 75 arrests and seized $15,000 in drug money, $30,000 worth of drugs and eight stolen weapons. Originally from Sumter, Sergeant 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 Sergeant Allen as Constable of the Year. "It’s just very rewarding knowing you’re taking drugs or stolen weapons off the streets," Sergeant Allen said.