Military police begin law and order mission

Photo By Sgt. Darryl Montgomery | Sgt. David Karlson, military policeman with the 34th Military Police Company, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division, approaches a vehicle to address a motor violation during a training exercise on Contingency Operating Base Basra July 11. COB Basra has a new Law Enforcement Activity mission to provide a safe and secure environment for its residents. Karlson is a Richfield, Minn., native.  

BASRA, IRAQ

07.11.2009

Story by Spc. Darryl Montgomery 

Multi-National Division-South

CONTENGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq — A new law and order force is now on duty to provide a safe and secure environment for service members at Contingency Operating Base Basra.

Through the combined efforts of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division Provost Marshal's Office and Special Troops Battalion, military police of the 34th Military Police Company began patrolling the COB July 11.

This includes mounted and dismounted patrols of the living support areas and common areas, according to Lt. Col. Dale Slimmer, Multi-National Division-South provost marshal.

Military police help desk operations are conducted from the Base Defense Operations Center. Residents of COB Basra can report emergencies, request assistance or report complaints, Slimmer said.

Anything a citizen would need from the police back home, Soldiers should be able to expect from the MPs here once this program is fully operational, said Capt. Matthew Dick, PMO operations officer, 34th Inf. Div.

"This can range from vehicle accidents, lost identification cards, criminal activities or suspicious activities," said Slimmer, a Little Falls, Minn., native. "From the BDOC, the fire department, ambulance, military police or quick reaction force will be dispatched depending on the emergency."

To contact the military police help desk, Soldiers can dial 911 from either secure or unsecure phones.

"This was a need immediately identified when we arrived here," said Dick, a Coon Rapids, Minn. native. "I'm looking forward to being able to fill that need."

Military police have been conducting training on a variety of skills to include community policing, enforcement, personal protection, reporting, investigations, crime scene management and the Uniform Code of Military Justice leading up to the beginning of the programs start date, according to Slimmer.

"Because of the uniqueness of this project, there were no existing resources to fall in on," Slimmer said, "The COB Basra [law enforcement agency] will be built from the ground up."

Since this is still in its developmental stage, Slimmer and Dick both want COB Basra residents not to expect full police force capabilities right away.

"As it develops, you can begin to expect the services to mature," Dick concluded.

Slimmer said the new project will continue to grow even after the 34th Inf. Div. redeploys. He and his team encourage the residents of COB Basra to provide feedback as well as support.

• Date Taken: 07.11.2009
• Date Posted: 07.15.2009 04:14
• Story ID: 36388
• Location: BASRA, IQ