172nd Infantry Brigade

Story by Pfc. Bethany Little

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – Many of the training centers for Iraqi counterparts are found just outside U.S. forces gates. However, things here are a little different.

Located just a half mile away from 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment headquarters building, is the Iraqi police academy.

The complex opened in 2003 to train Iraqi security forces and sustain operations.

"In 2006, U.S. Soldiers began to train Iraqi police," said Adeem Muter, Dean of the Iraqi Police Academy, Professional Headquarters for Wasit Police Department. "Now, almost all of the classes are taught by Iraqi police."

Cadre members vary from sergeants to officers who specialize in different areas including first aid, checkpoint security, drill and physical fitness.

Basic Recruit Training and advanced classes such as Criminal Investigation or the Delta Sustainment Training and Refresher course are offered through the academy for Iraqi police in Wasit province.

"We're learning a lot more than some of the older Iraqi police," said Walied Kahalid, fuel station guard, facility protection. "For example, we're learning more physical and mental training."

Evaluation of training doesn't stop in the classroom. Observations are made after the students leave the academy.

"After the recruits finish training, we test them again to see what they've learned," said Sgt. Mohanad Staar, Iraqi police academy instructor, Professional Headquarters for Wasit Police Department. "Then we go out into the cities to see the police officers that went through our training. We observe the things they took from our training and how they've applied it."

Different Iraqi police units in Wasit are brought to the academy every two weeks to ensure they all have the same training.

"Currently, we have 145 students enrolled in various classes," said Muter. "The students' abilities are better than before and it's showing the people of Iraq that their police departments care about them."

One major improvement with the academy since the Iraqis took over training is communication.

"Now that there isn't a need for translations between the instructors and students, teaching and training is a lot easier and more effective," said Muter.

"We will continue to serve our country and help with the progress toward Iraqi freedom by continuing the training," said Staar.

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