Photo By Staff Sgt. Anthony White | An Iraqi police officer pulls security at the Ashaki police station. The police...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Tony White
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
SAMARRA, Iraq – As Iraqis continue to assume greater responsibility for their own country the importance of Iraqi police (IP) continues to grow. Police Transition Teams have been designated as the intermediate link between coalition forces and their Iraqi counterparts to cultivate this growth.
For the Soldiers of 128th Military Police Company this is the task they have faced everyday since arriving in theater nearly seven months ago. The company has elements in Samarra responsible for training the Iraqi police. Although a daunting task because of recent car bombings at police stations in Samarra and Ashaki, these troops know they still have a job to do.
"If they show me that they are willing to help themselves, then I'm more willing to help them out," said Staff Sgt. Christopher John Hodge, a squad leader.
"This is not an overnight job," continued the native of Lawrenceburg, Tenn. "We realize this is going to takes months and years, but we are getting there. We probably won't see it before we leave, but I know we have already made some improvements."
Formerly an air defense artillery unit, many of the Soldiers completed the military police training less than a year ago. By combining their experiences from previous deployments with the insight of those with law enforcement experience, these National Guardsmen are installing the fundamentals for a well-run police department in the area.
Recently, the team spent a day training with their Iraqi counterparts at the Ashaki precinct. "We gave the policemen a class on operations planning, from setting up the checkpoints to raiding a house," said Sgt. Raymond Grissett, a Police Transition Team leader. "We also taught them a class on room entry. Basically, we have a lecture for them, followed by a demonstration from our team. Then the police officers will take part in a practical exercise."
"Our main mission is to create a police department and teach the 'average Joe' police techniques," continued the native of Mobile, Ala. "We are trying to train them so they can protect themselves and have the proper equipment to protect themselves."
Breaking down into squads of 12 Soldiers, consisting of four teams of three, the Soldiers have established a bond with the Iraqi police officers, which is essential to their short and long-term success.
"We have built a relationship with the IP," Hodge said. "They know us, and they trust us more. They know that we are there not to run the show, but to help them do it."
"The police officers tend to be grateful, at least the ones we have trained," Grissett concluded. "They are very interested in what we have been teaching them. They have been taking it in and hopefully they are using it."
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2007 10:18 |
| Story ID: | 10387 |
| Location: | SAMARRA, IQ |
| Web Views: | 51 |
| Downloads: | 37 |
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