HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – A Department of the Air Force police officer assigned to the 66th Security Forces Squadron here recently made history as the squadron expands its civilian force.
Officer Victoria Feloni, a native of Somerville, Massachusetts, is the first-ever female civilian police officer assigned to the squadron.
She recalls how her upbringing made a lasting imprint on her career path, leading to a master’s degree in criminology and criminal justice from Merrimack College.
“I was intrigued growing up listening to the stories my grandfather told from his time as a Boston cop in the ‘60s and ‘70s,” she said.
Feloni was influenced by how her grandfather not only had the responsibility to protect and serve, but also inspire and uplift others, particularly children.
“He loved to change kids’ lives by talking with them and helping them understand what they were doing was not the best of choices,” she said. “I loved hearing those stories.”
Feloni is part of a growing cadre of civilian officers at the security forces squadron. All new officers attend the Department of the Air Force Civilian Police Academy to learn law enforcement techniques, including physical restraint and apprehension, patrol tactics and procedures, military and civilian law.
Maj. Brandon Casso, 66 SFS commander, said the strength of his squadron comes from the diverse workforce who accomplish the mission.
“Officer Feloni brings so much to the team as the first-ever female civilian police officer in our unit’s history, and has made a major impact on our civilians, enlisted personnel and officers since joining our family several months ago,” he said.
Earlier this year, the 66th Security Forces Squadron was selected as the 2022 AFMC Security Forces Unit Award winner in the medium-sized squadron category.
While in graduate school, Feloni interned at Department of Homeland Security in the Child Exploitation and Cyber Crimes Unit. She also worked full time as a background investigator for Office of Personnel Management, or OPM, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, following completion of her master’s degree.
“Bringing her experience from other law enforcement agencies prior to joining us, and with her extremely positive and motivated attitude, she makes us better just by simply being herself,” Casso said.
Feloni’s role as a civilian cop at Hanscom AFB is to protect resources on the installation. She works alongside military defenders to secure the installation as an entry controller and patrolman.
“For anyone who enters the installation, you have to ensure they enter properly,” she said. “We do background checks, car searches and other security functions to ensure the Hanscom community remains safe and secure.”
Feloni hopes her story helps inspire others to pursue law enforcement for the Air Force as a career.
“If you have goals, keep pushing to achieve them,” she said. “I was discouraged at one point after college, but I never gave up. Working here has been a positive in my life. I'm happier. I feel supported. I look forward to coming to work.”
Hanscom’s top cop believes Feloni has a bright future with the squadron.
“I’m extremely proud to say that Officer Feloni is a Blue Knight and I’m excited to see her grow further in her law enforcement career within our organization,” Casso said.
To learn more about a career in law enforcement with the Air Force, visit https://afciviliancareers.com/law/.