Kirkuk IPs: Dangerous, most sought after occupation

Photo By Staff Sgt. Margaret Nelson | Kirkuk Police Academy hopefuls run the required 25-meter dash, some without shoes, during a recent recruitment.  

IRAQ

12.24.2007

Story by Staff Sgt. Margaret Nelson 

115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Pt. 2 of a 3 part series: Once Selected, Transformation from civilian to Iraqi police recruit is swift.

Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD

Their training regiment is similar to what a police officer may endure during training in the U.S.; however what these recruits learn in 10 weeks, their U.S. counterparts learn in six months, according to 1st Lt. Christopher C. Harris, a 1-10th Mountain Division PTT-P. "The difference between U.S. police and Iraqi police is they don't have the luxury of time ... they have to learn quickly with less training and equipment, in a more hostile environment," Harris, an active duty military policeman said.

"This is the best paying job for an Iraqi citizen next to being a soldier in the Iraqi army, Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Aker of 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division's Provincial Police Training Team said. "You have recruits with no skills up to engineers and doctors applying."

"It's a stepping stone for some to achieve personal goals garnering other position within the organization, according to Aker. He said that the IPs have their own workforce to include mechanics, administrative staff, medical personnel and other key positions. "Regardless of where they end up, they all begin as basic trainees," he said.

"I am a mechanic by trade," Isam Massa Ali, 23, said. "I cannot make enough to support my family. That is why I am trying to join the IP. I can keep my trade and the pay is good." Ali is another February session hopeful.

An IP recruit earns approximately 185,000 Iraqi-dinar monthly (around $81 U.S.) with an additional 25,000 dinar per diem (approximately $20 U.S.). After graduating from the academy, an IP will make 500,000 dinar (around $360 U.S.) which includes hazardous duty compensation, with the amount varying depending on the area of responsibility, according to academy staff. "Acquiring a position with the police force is highly competitive due to the pay, which is a good salary here," said Harris from Tennessee.

"Yes, the pay is good, but you need to get involved in your community. Instead of complaining and blaming others for your misery, you need to be part of the solution to defend your community and Iraq, our country, from these insurgents ... those that want to take our freedoms away from us," IP recruit Nashat Ghrip, 27, a Kurd said. Ghrip graduates in January.

According to MoI requirements, an application is required, obtained and submitted through the interior ministry, followed by a written test. The applicant must be between the ages of 20 to 35 and possess at least a 9th grade education. The test is administered by proctors requiring a candidate to be literate and it is monitored, according to academy staff, to keep it honest, Aker said.

Other requirements include; Iraqi citizenship and residency in the province. The candidate must pass a brief physical which consists of a 25-meter dash and perform 10 push-ups, according to MoI standards. "A doctor is also on-hand to conduct a cursory physical," Aker said.

Once selected, the transformation from Iraqi civilian to police begins. A recruit's head is shaved, uniforms are issued, and training begins in earnest.

There are bumps in the road to becoming an IP, however. Supply issues abound. "MoI only provided 1,000 uniforms which meant we were 382 short," Aker said. "It was on a first come, first serve basis." The unlucky recruits had to purchase their uniforms with their own money according to Aker, and boots are not issued.

All recruits are screened utilizing the Hierachical Intrusion Detection system, a security check that utilizes retina-scanning and their photos are taken. The recruit's information is added and filtered through a database of known criminals, before graduation, according to Harris.

The Iraqi cadres break down the class into platoon-sized elements numbering around 50. One to two cadre remains with each group, for a total of 400 hours of training in the 10-week period.

According to the academy's schedule, the daily regiment begins with a 7 a.m. roll-call and inspection. There is a strict code of discipline established from the very beginning, said Aker. "It's not uncommon to see recruits in the push-up position for extended periods of time, to others with their pant-legs rolled up kneeling on the rocky soil, for infractions of dirty uniforms to tardiness," Aker said. "It reminds me of basic," the Army Ranger said.

Due to the distances that some of these recruits have to travel, two percent drop out according to Aker. "The first time they are late they are docked a day of pay. There is no second time," Harris added.

"Training is the base of discipline; discipline is the base of training," Col. Samir Murshed Khushid, commandant of the Kirkuk Police Academy, said. A logo he designed is painted on the outside wall of the academy's headquarters facing the parade grounds. An Iraqi flag unfurls from the IP crest, a silver star centered in a wreath. Two IPs are featured, one facing front saluting and the other facing left in the presenting arms position with an AK-47. Both IPs are standing in a grassy field with the sun behind them under blue skies. The mural is to depict the better days that are to come, Samir said. "We love our city...our province," the former Peshmerga said. "Most of us have suffered under a dictator. We know, and or know many who have lost a family member under that dictatorship," he said. "We want to be free ... we want human rights."

Samir knows there are those who challenge these freedoms. "Terrorism is a disease we need to cure. Right always wins in the long run." He tells all his graduates that they must always remember that they are Iraqi. "I tell them that they are no longer a civilian. They must make sure they uphold justice in a way that they are trusted." He reminds them that as policemen they are here to "serve the future...our children."

"The Kirkuk Police Academy establishes a training environment that combines all three major ethnic groups; Arab, Kurd and Turkman, throughout the various platoons, equally. A brotherhood develops that binds these recruits to each other and crosses all ethnic barriers..."

Part III and Conclusion: Kirkuk Police Academy... A binding brotherhood is forged ...

• Date Taken: 12.24.2007
• Date Posted: 12.24.2007 08:04
• Story ID: 14944
• Location: IQ