MPs keep VBC troops, roads safe

Photo By Spc. Stephanie Homan | Spc. Ken Gates, a routine patrolman and traffic accident investigator from the 727th Military Police Detachment, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade, writes a warning traffic ticket for speeding on Victory Base Complex May 23. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Stephanie Homan, MNC-I PAO)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

05.31.2007

Courtesy Story

28th Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Stephanie Homan
MNC-I PAO

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The 727th Military Police Detachment, a National Guard unit from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., provides patrols that enforce Victory Base Complex traffic regulations.

They aim to reduce non-battle injuries, assist unit commanders and Joint Contracting Command in maintaining good order and discipline in units and communities, and carry out force protection polices.

"When we first (assumed duty) on VBC the roads were (wild)," said Spc. Ken Gates, a routine patrolman and traffic accident investigator from the 727th MP Detachment, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Brigade. "Now they are decent."

"The 727th Military Police Detachment provides law enforcement support to the Victory Base Complex garrison command," said Lt. Col. Richard Cote, VBC provost marshal.
These patrolling police officers work 12-14 hour days that start and end with guard mount briefings, Gates said.

"We pass important information on to the next shift and receive our gear," Gates said. "We make sure that the oncoming shift supervisor is briefed on the events from the previous shift."

Due to the size of VBC, the patrolmen and their vehicles see a lot of miles each day, Gates said.

"We (perform preventive maintenance checks and services on) our vehicles before every shift because they run 24 hours a day," said Gates. "On average, we drive about 100 miles in a 12-hour shift," he said.

Enforcing basic traffic regulations takes up a good part of the day while these Soldiers are on the roads, said Spc. Joe Brooks, a routine patrolman and radio operator from 727th MP Det.

"Speeding, (violating) seatbelt violations and running stop signs are what we write most of our tickets for," he said.

"We stop people for any major safety hazard," Gates added.

The Soldiers perform many additional tasks and duties, including customs inspections and nightly security checks.

Responding to indirect fire on VBC is in the long list of duties, Gates said.

"We are already on the road while the firemen, (the explosive ordnance disposal team) and everyone else still have to load up," he said. "We get there and treat any injured people because we are all combat lifesaver qualified, secure the area and hand it over when the others arrive."

Gates and Brooks said they feel the language barrier is probably the biggest problem for them when they are trying to complete their mission.

"The hardest part for us is the language barrier," Brooks said. "We don't have an interpreter in our unit and the Iraqis don't know much about (our) traffic laws."

Gates, who works as a police officer in Dolgeville, N.Y. when his unit is not mobilized, gets satisfaction from knowing he has helped people, he said.

"I like feeling that I've made a difference and I tell people that it is all about safety," he said. "They go outside the wire and risk their lives. I just ask them to not put lives in danger inside the wire."

• Date Taken: 05.31.2007
• Date Posted: 05.31.2007 05:49
• Story ID: 10601
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ