Photo By Sgt. Zach Zuber | A boy from a neighborhood in Jalula smiles as he is carried by an Iraqi police...... read more read more
Subscribe
DIYALA, Iraq — A series of shops spanning multiple blocks in Jalula, Iraq, are visited by thousands of patrons each day looking for items ranging from fresh fish to new clothing styles. In a bustling environment like this one it is easy for situations to arise that would be easily handled with the help of the local police.
Through a new training program operating out of Forward Operating Base Cobra, Iraq, Soldiers from the 66th Military Police Company are encouraging Iraqi police from the surrounding area to have a stronger presence throughout these communities. The 66th MPs, attached to the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, are fostering the desire IPs have to get out and mingle with the population to create a better relationship with the people they protect.
"The underlying premise of the class is to get these guys out there and be the main independent security force at the community level," said 1st Lt. Alicia Mienko, 3rd platoon leader, 66th MP Company. "The Iraqi army has done a great job of securing Iraq, now it's time for the police to take over and transition from combat operations to stability operations."
For the first two days of the five day course, the MPs held classroom training to discuss specific actions and behavior that would help ensure that there is a smooth transition. For the following three days they travelled through the local neighborhoods and markets with the Iraqi policemen, encouraging them to take an active interest in the activities of community members and encouraging them to help with even simple problems.
The practical portion, completed among the citizens, is where these Soldiers can see the improvements they are looking to create. As the IPs walk through the markets, they talk to anyone with a question or concern. During their time in Jalula they were able to resolve a conflict between two merchants and make friends with local children.
"The other day at the market I saw a sergeant pick up a small child and while he was holding him I could tell it was something the people weren't used to," said Spc. Ryan Greenzwieg, a driver for 3rd Platoon. "That made the child happy and the expression on the parents' faces showed they were glad to see him taking interest."
Instances where these police step out and connect with the community shows that the guidance they are being given will have a lasting effect.
"Having a presence in these communities gives the people faith," said Mienko. "When they have that trust the people will be more likely to talk to the police which means they can continue to fight crime in the individual communities."
| Date Taken: | 04.14.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 04.14.2010 02:41 |
| Story ID: | 48113 |
| Location: | DIYALA PROVINCE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 343 |
| Downloads: | 322 |
This work, Training a Friendly Force of Iraqi Police, by SGT Zach Zuber, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT