Year of the Iraqi police

Photo By Sgt. Dennis Gravelle | An Iraqi police instructor (back) assists an IP recruit with his AK-47 rifle at the weapons familiarization target range, Al Kisik, Tall Afar, Iraq.  

TAL AFAR, IRAQ

02.24.2006

Courtesy Story

345th Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Sgt. Dennis Gravelle
138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

TALL AFAR, Iraq (Feb. 20, 2006) -- At an Iraqi Army training compound at Al Kisik, 90 police recruits attended an Iraqi Police Development Course.

According to 1st Sgt. William Wollford, Service Battery, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery, Al Kisik is an Iraqi Army training post that trains the IA and IP to take the lead and sustain themselves.

"The IP Academy brings in new recruits from the surrounding towns in the Tall Afar area, trains them and puts them back in the police force so they can help with the transition into democracy, reduce crime, and fight the insurgency," said 1st Lt. Kevin Emore, commandant of the IP Academy and 1st Platoon leader, Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery.

After spending two months training at the Jordanian Police Training Center, the recruits finalize their skills by spending a week at Al Kisik.

"They are with us for seven days where we help them enhance their skills and expand what they learned in Jordan by teaching them to clear buildings, conduct mounted and dismounted patrols, and how to react to improvised explosive devices," said SSG Damon Ward, NCOIC, IPDC, Btry C, 2nd BN, 3rd FA.

The seven day course is taught by Iraqi instructors with Coalition Forces there to mentor and to make sure they follow the training plan.

"It's very important to have Iraqi's train Iraqi's, they respond better when they see their own instructors, it gets us away from the focal point, my Soldiers are there to guide and to ensure the instruction is being put out properly, said Wollford.

Emore stated that the cadets have come a long way in a few short days, some were not even familiar with a weapon when they arrived.

"These cadets get up early, they train hard all day, and they are extremely motivated," Ward said.

The IA were the first units to be trained by the Coalition, the focus is now being placed on the IP's.

"This is one of our most important missions here in Iraq, we have been told by higher that this will be the year of the Iraqi police," said Wollford.

• Date Taken: 02.24.2006
• Date Posted: 02.24.2006 11:34
• Story ID: 5493
• Location: TAL AFAR, IQ