Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson | Art Oates, a law enforcement professional, and Iraqi police Lt. Husein Issa, watch as...... read more read more
By Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson
41st Fires Brigade
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – Historically, the Iraqi police and Iraqi judges didn't work with each other when trying to solve cases. That is slowly beginning to change, as the newly-formed investigative branch of the IP is working hand-in-hand with the investigative judges.
"We investigate all kinds of crimes, even terrorists, and then transfer them to al Kut for trial," said the chief judge in al Hayy, whose name is withheld to protect his identity. "Our relationship with the Iraqi police is good."
Even though the communication and relationships have improved, it is a still a new way of conducting police work and building cases with evidence, which requires a new skill set for the IP.
"The Iraqi police investigators are new to their job, and lack overall experience," said the judge. "We are also lacking the number of investigators as well. The number of investigators we have directly influences and affects the judicial process."
The chief judge for Wasit province, in coordination with the Wasit Provincial Director of Police, is working to change that by training a group of 15 IP investigators in the proper way to gather and process evidence, two days per week for one month.
The training is scheduled to continue through the current year, with a new group of 15 IP investigators attending every month.
"We've certainly seen progress," said Capt. Patrick Gilman, 41st Fires Brigade staff judge advocate. "Now there are relationships that are actually working and functioning in large part because the judges are willing to work with the police and the police are willing to work with the judges, which is huge."
Gilman, from Chicago, Ill., leads a task force that includes retired Marine colonel and federal prosecutor Wayne Rich, who serves as the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team Rule of Law advisor, and a team of law enforcement professionals charged with working alongside IP station chiefs and judges.
The task force is helping to update the current system by interviewing all of the detainees, collecting biometric data on the detainees and inputting them into a central database.
"We compile the data and, once synthesized, we will then hand it over to the Iraqi police and the judges throughout the province," said Gilman.
According to Gilman, another big improvement in the judicial system is the perception the civilian populace has of the IP.
"Now civilians are feeling a lot more comfortable and are trusting the police here to protect them instead of oppress them," said Gilman. "That mindset assists the judicial process because the civilians are more willing and capable of reporting criminal activity, as well as testifying in front of judges, because they are realizing the police are there for their protection."
The task force also looks at the detention facilities during these visits. They look at space for the detainees, how the detainees are separated, the access the detainees have to an attorney, if they have seen a judge yet and the basic necessities such as toilets, sinks and showers. The information they gather will also be forwarded to the ministry of the interior once all the assessments are complete.
"The al Hayy facility is clean and it's not overcrowded," said Gilman. "Unfortunately the plumbing is lacking. The conditions are not as sanitary as we would like, which is not uncommon to find. However, the plumbing is no better in the IP station chief's office as well."
The task force has completed 22 missions so far, in assessing detention facilities, inputting biometric data into a database, interviewing detainees and assessing how the judges and IPs are working together.
"The willingness between the IPs and judges to work together, to train each other on their respective duties and the cooperation between the two elements shows that they are continuing to improve as well as continuing to implement and adhere to their own laws," said Gilman.
| Date Taken: | 02.10.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.10.2009 04:14 |
| Story ID: | 29822 |
| Location: | AL KUT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 220 |
| Downloads: | 203 |
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