Spc. Mary Rose
MNC-I PAO
June 22, 2005
POLICE
BAGHDAD -- Iraqi police set up check points, conduct raids in search of insurgents and control civil outbreaks, as well as many other tasks in their war-torn country.
The hands-on riot control training, U.S Army military police recently taught the Baghdad police Emergency Response Force, will allow them to assist their community during civil unrest and disputes.
The ERF participated in a week-and-a-half long training session -- part of a larger training course -- conducted by MPs from the 401st Military Police Company, Fort Hood, Texas -- which used real-world training tactics to teach the ERF riot control techniques and procedures.
They learned different maneuver and crowd control formations, said Spc. Damien D. Kirby, riot control instructor, 401st MP Co.
Formations are used depending on the situation, and they allow the ERF to approach their subjects without compromising safety. The ERF also learned proper use of batons and shields.
MPs posed as rioters and antagonized the ERF who were in a sturdy formation guarded by shields and batons. The MPs attacked the formation by throwing rocks, hitting and kicking their shields and attempting to get hold of the ERF police from behind the shields.
"We try to make the training as realistic as possible," said Staff Sgt. Starsky Smith, as he pointed at bruises on his arms.
The training also gives a concept of team building, added Smith, the non-commissioned officer-in-charge of ERF training, 401st MP Co.
"Since we started training these guys, they have made a 180 degree turn," Kirby said. "They have grasped many concepts, including teamwork and individual responsibility."
Conceptual understanding relies heavily on communication, which has been an important factor between the ERF and the MPs during the instruction periods. Smith and his Soldiers have linguists who help translate, but the process of translating is slow, which increases the time spent in training, Smith said.
"Once we get past the language barrier, the training runs smoothly," Kirby said.
Even with communication barriers, the training will be completed in July. Smith and his team of Soldiers have been training the ERF since early May, teaching them basic rapid response force skills.
Smith's team will start training the ERF with more in-depth skills beginning shortly after the current training is completed.
Some of the ERF troops will go to a special weapons and tactics course, while others will go to a sniper qualification course, Smith said.
The MP training team will also continue to give more comprehensive training on subjects already covered in the past two months.
With all the training the ERF has received they are becoming a self-sufficient force capable of handling their communities" needs, Smith said.
"They are some of the best police in Iraq right now. They adapt and overcome to their environment," Smith said. "With each mission they will go out on, they will work better together. This is a key part in the battle over insurgency."
| Date Taken: | 07.05.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 07.05.2005 12:03 |
| Story ID: | 2263 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 47 |
| Downloads: | 5 |
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