Tribal leader donates land to Ministry of Interior for Iraqi police

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jessika Greendeer | Air Force Capt. Christopher Snell (left), a Police Transition Team Training officer serving with Detachment 3, 716th Military Police Battalion, 8th MP Watchdog Brigade, Multi-National Division-Baghdad, and Lt. Col. Darryl Johnson, commander of 716th MP Bn., 8th MP Bde., MND-B, attend the grand opening of the Arab Jabour local police station Jan. 11. The Soldiers and Airmen of the unit provide Police Transition Team Training expertise to the Iraqi police and assisted with process of opening the station.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.16.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Jessika Greendeer 

Multi-National Division Baghdad

By Staff Sgt. Jessika Malott
8th Military Police Brigade Public Affairs Office

BAGHDAD – As the security agreement between the government of Iraq and coalition forces gains momentum, the Iraqi people continue to assume the protection, care and responsibility for the security of their country. This is no different in the rural, farming area of Arab Jabour; where local citizens have taken a stand to improve their quality of life and increase their commitment to the safety of their community by supporting the grand opening of the Arab Jabour Iraqi police station Jan. 11.

"This IP station was made a reality because a local sheik donated the land where this station is located," said Air Force Capt. Christopher Snell, a Police Transition Team Training officer serving with Detachment 3, 716th Military Police Battalion, 8th MP "Watchdog" Brigade, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. "This gesture truly illustrates the concern for safety and security from the local population. The neighborhood had previously had a concerned citizens group that would patrol the community, but they wanted to do more."

After the community members had made a decision to desire a police station, a local tribal leader donated the land to the ministry of interior and asked that a local police station be built.

After months of processing the request, building efforts began on the parcel of land. The IPs, along with their Police Transition Team partners from Det. 3, 716th MP Bn., 8th MP Bde., MND – B, continued to work together on the process to ensure that the building would provide the functionality needed for law enforcement.

"The Iraqi police really took the lead on the process of opening this police station," said Snell. "We were there to support them on the plans, but they wanted to take full responsibility for the project and they just kept moving forward on it."

The community was praised for taking the initiative to further secure their muhalla from Iraqi police officials.

"The benefits of this gift will be for all the people of Iraq," said Iraqi Police Maj. Gen. Khadim, commander of the Provincial Directorate of Police for Baghdad, through an interpreter. "Together, we have recognized the importance of reconciliation and its benefits."

• Date Taken: 01.16.2009
• Date Posted: 01.16.2009 04:30
• Story ID: 28905
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ