49TH MILITARY POLICE BRIGADE

Story by Sgt. Kenneth Bince

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The 100-yard-wide courtyard was filled with multiple company-sized formations of graduating Iraqi policemen. In front of each separate group a guidon bearer proudly displayed the unit's colors. Surrounding this massive formation, dozens of uniformed guards wielded 4-foot by 6-foot Iraqi flags.

Another milestone has been crossed for people of Iraq on Oct. 29 at the Al Furat Iraqi Police Training Center where over 1,600 new Iraqi police officers graduated the Basic Recruit training course.

The new police officers were all at attention and facing a podium as the top police officer spoke. "What you are doing here today is making Baghdad safer," said Maj. Gen. Ali Adnan Yunis, commander, Provincial Directorate of Police. He told one of the largest classes of graduating police officers, "When Baghdad is safer your families at home are safer.

The ceremony was also attended by Soldiers of the California National Guard, 49th Military Police Brigade Police Transition Team, civilian police advisers and the Iraqi police center's trainers who stood to the right in a viewing section and faced the crowd. "The partnership between the three organizations has been seamless, but it has not been without its challenges" said Sgt. 1st Class David Northup, California National Guard, 49th MP Brigade, IPS, (Iraqi Police Service), PTT, (police transition team), non commissioned officer in charge.

The training for the new Iraqi police officers is thorough, and some blocks of instruction are similar to the tasks that U.S. Soldiers complete. "A few of the classes covered in the 4-week Basic Recruit Training course included basic first aid, human rights training, patrol training, small arms training and search techniques," said Northup.

The new policemen varied in age, but most were in their 20s. All wore light blue shirts and dark pants. "The IPs standing here are faced with a lot of obstacles just to make it to the training center, but they do the best they can with what they have." "I have to give them a great deal of credit to make it to this point and graduate," said Northup.

Five honor graduate students came forward and received special recognition and awards following a prayer and a speech by graduating students.

The hourlong graduation ceremony also included displays of strength and agility with IP teams conducting martial arts demonstrations with different types of throws and attacks. One IP trainer stole the show when he dazzled the audience of policemen and visitors as he broke multiple cinder block bricks with his fist, elbow and head.

The road to a secure Iraq is moving forward with every policeman that completes his training and hits the streets of Baghdad. "Our mission here has been one of success," said Col. Rudy Arruda, California National Guard, 49th MP Brigade, deputy commander, Iraqi Police Service, National Transition Team, officer in charge. "There are now more Iraqi Police that are qualified to protect and serve the people of Baghdad".

The next class of IP training at the Al Furat Iraqi Police training center began Nov. 1. This is scheduled to be the last group to use this location. After this final rotation of training at Al Furat, the basic and advanced training conducted at this site will be moved to other location in Iraq.

Associated Images

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