Iraqi Highway Patrol conducts criminal investigation training

Photo By Sgt. Rodney Foliente | Staff Sgt. Robert Olson, tank commander, 1st Platoon, Company D, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, teaches criminal investigation training to Iraqi highway patrolmen at Combat Outpost 4 in Diwaniya province, Jan. 4.  

IRAQ

01.04.2009

Story by Sgt. Rodney Foliente 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Sgt. Rodney Foliente
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

DIWANIYA, Iraq – The Iraqi highway patrol began criminal investigation training with Soldiers from Company D, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, at Combat Outpost 4 in Diwaniya province, Jan. 4.

This initial phase of training covered the procedures for entering, reviewing and collecting evidence in a crime scene.

"They need to know how to properly walk through and investigate a crime scene. We want to make sure they know how to look at a crime scene without contaminating it," said 1st Lt. Erik Eisentraut, 1st Platoon leader, Co. D, 2-8 IN.

This was the first such class and both the IHP and Co. D Soldiers look forward to continuing with the training to get more in depth, said Staff Sgt. Robert Olson, Co. D, 2-8 IN tank commander. "They paid attention to the training and gave good feedback, asking a lot of questions. I think the class went well."

The patrolmen asked plenty of questions during the training, bouncing hypothetical situations back and forth amongst themselves and the instructor.

Olson, who comes from West Palm Beach, Fla., said he himself received excellent training in the subject through the 2nd BCT. The Warhorse Brigade deployed with a number of American police officers who have shared their expertise with Olson and others within the brigade. He said that Army-wide, the program has been providing good training for its Soldiers to teach Iraqi instructors to further pass on that knowledge to their fellow policemen.

This approach keeps most of the initiative and responsibility for training upon the Iraqis, allowing for wider information distribution among the Iraqi Police and for the program to adapt more to their needs.

"We gave them the training to improve their crime scene investigation skills and to get them better at catching the bad guys," said Olson.

The platoon has worked with the IHP since the beginning of November, though 2-8 IN has worked with them since October.

The IHP have learned much from the 2-8 IN Soldiers and they are building a better relationship with each other, laughing and joking with each other during breaks in training or between missions, said Adnan, a patrolman, while they took a short foosball break.

He served with the police since 2003 and prior to that was an Iraqi Marine. He has gladly been serving his people for more than 20 years, and is especially happy now that things have quieted down in the country.

"The class was very useful. I have a lot of experience already, but I learned new things and that makes me a better policeman," said Adnan, through a translator.

"This training was very helpful because we got very good information on a very important subject for us as policemen. This information will help us to do our jobs better and help us catch those who commit crimes against the people," added Faras, a patrolman, through a translator.

"Because I am a policeman, it is very important to learn more about crime scenes and how to find and collect evidence without [contaminating] the crime scene," said Faras. "When next a crime happens, we will be better prepared to catch the criminals."

Many of the 1st Plt. Soldiers said they are glad to see the IHP excited to do their jobs and their dedication to their country and their people.

"We're working to improve the professionalism and capabilities of the IHP. As long as they want to keep learning, it validates my job and makes me want to keep working with them. That's why I'm here," said Eisentraut, who comes from Rockville, Md.

• Date Taken: 01.04.2009
• Date Posted: 01.15.2009 09:19
• Story ID: 28864
• Location: IQ