OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Over the next few weeks those entering the installation may notice a slight change in uniform of those checking identification cards at the entrance gates.

However, the cosmetic change only tells part of the story as the 55th Security Forces Squadron is currently transitioning from contract gate guards to Department of the Air Force civilian police officers.

"The difference from the contract guards and the DAF police is the contract guards were only responsible for working the gates, search pit and visitor control center," said Skip Owens, DAF police supervisor with the 55 SFS. "The DAF police will be fully integrated with the security forces and will provide the same capabilities as the military."

The transition started Oct. 1, and will continue until there are 45 full-time DAF police officers with the squadron.

All new DAF police officers must have a minimum 12 months of law enforcement experience either with the military or a civilian agency. In addition, all new officers must attend a 15-day training class and those without recent experience must attend the Law Enforcement Training Center in Little Rock, Ark.

"We are very excited to have these new DAF police officers as part of our unit," said Maj. Thomas Segars, 55 SFS commander. "Many of them come to us with a vast amount of experience and several are veterans who have served overseas.

"They're going to provide us a lot of additional capabilities that we did not have before with our contract guards and they really increase our flexibility as a squadron," he added.

This new civilian DAF police force may be utilized as installation entry controllers, for flightline security duties, as well as installation law enforcement and have the ability to perform the full spectrum of integrated defense duties, according to Owens.

"Those personnel performing law enforcement and security duties may apprehend any persons found on the installation for offenses committed on post that are felonies, misdemeanors, breaches of the peace, a threat to property or welfare, or detrimental to good order and discipline," he said.

The change comes as a result of an Air Force-wide transition to replace contract security personnel from their installations around the world.

Eleven former contract guards were selected for the DAF police force. Their integration into the new force should help ease the transition period.

"There is going to be an adjustment period for both the guard force and the base population," Owens said. "But once everyone gets use to the new DAF police force and we work the bugs out of the new program, I think the base will see the same quality of performance that we had with the contract guard program."