Courtesy Photo | Baqr Jabr Al-Zubeidi, Iraqi Minister of the Interior (far left), gives an award to an...... read more read more
Story and photo by Spc. C. Terrell Turner
4th Inf. Div. Public Affairs
BAGHDAD -- Amid cheers and enthusiastic chants of support, the most recent graduating class of Iraqi Police stood proudly in front of Coalition Force leaders, the Iraqi Minister of Defense and the Iraqi Minister of Interior during Iraqi Police Day Jan 11.
Demonstrating their professionalism and dedication to a unified, democratic Iraq, the Iraqi Police conducted numerous exhibitions on tactical operations in front of the distinguished guests in attendance. This included police dog-assisted captures and hand-to-hand combat skills.
"This is a blessed day for everybody," said Baqr Jabr Al-Zabeidi, Iraqi Minister of the Interior. "Today is the 84th memorial of the establishment of the Iraqi Police. This vital establishment assumes a very sensitive duty, which is to protect the Iraqi spirit from the evil power of the terrorists and murderers."
The rebuilding of Iraq's police force continues to be an ongoing process. Large numbers of officers and enlisted members of the police forces were called back into service by their old departments. Beginning in 2003, the police directorate fell under the command of the reestablished Iraqi Ministry of Interior.
The police force consists of several agencies, specially designed to address the difficulties facing the Iraqi people as they work to stabilize and secure the country.
Along with the Iraqi Police Service, they include the rapid response Special Police Forces, the Department of Border Enforcement, the Iraqi Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Dignitary Protection.
Currently, there are five police academies, teaching a ten-week basic police training, working together to produce 3,000 police officers a month.
Upon graduation, new police officers are required to take the Ministry of Interior Oath:
"I do solemnly swear by Almighty God that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Iraqi people and my homeland of Iraq; that I will serve my nation and its constitution in all fields, and protect the lives of all citizens, as God is my witness."
The Iraqi police force has a long and rich history. It was originally created in 1920 under Police Notice #72 and officially established by the government in 1921 by the Iraqi Ministry of Interior. The first police chiefs and staffs for the brigades were appointed in 1922. The training was a joint effort conducted with the British until 1927. For several years after this, Iraqi delegations continued to travel to England to attend high-level police training.
Minister Al-Zubeidi is the third minister of the interior since the MOI reactivated.
"The achievements made by our civil police in this short period makes this year deserve to (be called) "2006, The Year of the Police," because of all the successes being made by our brothers and sons in the Iraqi Police," he said. "This change in democracy in our country, after a long suffering and patience, has good results for the Iraqi people."
| Date Taken: | 01.11.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 01.20.2006 13:31 |
| Story ID: | 5163 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 262 |
| Downloads: | 122 |
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