Bastogne soldiers patrol with IP

Photo By Spc. Michael Pfaff | A young boy lloks on as 101st Airborne Division Soldiers conduct a presence patrol with Iraqi police.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

03.23.2006

Story by Spc. Michael Pfaff 

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

by Spc. Michael Pfaff
133rd MPAD

KIRKUK, Iraq (Mar. 16, 2006) - As the transition toward democracy continues, it's integral for the common populace to place their trust in the Iraqi security and coalition forces working together to stabilize the country.

Iraqi police and Soldiers from Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division patrolled a neighborhood in Kirkuk in order to show a presence and let the people know that they are not only here to protect them, but also serve them.

"We're trying to let the Iraqi police take the lead on these patrols," said 2nd Lt. John Vickery, 1st platoon leader for C Co. "It helps the locals feel safer in their neighborhood and more willing to call the police if there's any trouble."

Vickery explained that the people of Kirkuk are timid about coming to the authorities with problems because the idea of not living under a dictatorship that might punish them for such complaints is new to them.

"You have to understand, a lot of these people have been living under a dictator for a long time, so they're kind of afraid to come out and express problems without getting in trouble," Vickery explained. "We want them to feel like they have the freedom to do that now. And, I feel like if they understand that, and understand that the Iraqi military and police will back them up, the country can work on its own without us."

Getting to a point where the people can fully trust the police and military will take time though, Vickery said. But, the Iraqi police are making strides in the process of garnering the trust of the people.

The police are starting to take the lead on many patrols, and today's patrol is no exception. The Iraqi police led the patrol with only a few American Soldiers providing additional security.

Sgt. James A. Connelly, a team leader with 1st platoon, was in the lead with the police on the patrol.

"We wanted to get the Iraqi police out here and mingle with the populace to let them know they are out here doing their jobs and find out if the people need anything done," Connelly said.

Another thing Connelly said they wanted to get out of the mission was to get a reaction from the people to see how they felt about the Iraqi police.

"A lot of the reactions are good; they have a lot of things to say," he said. "A lot of people feel that the Iraqi police are doing their patrols and they are doing what they need to be doing. The consensus is that the Iraqi police are doing a good job. They're doing what they need to be doing."

In addition to patrolling to protect the people from anti-Iraqi forces, the Iraqi police have the responsibility of making sure the needs of the people are met. Getting the people to open up and share their problems is the first step to assuming that responsibility.

"The people are starting to bring their problems to the police now, which is what we want them to do," he said.

Today's patrol is a reflection of a daily commitment the Iraqi police and coalition forces have to make not only toward securing Iraq, but serving its citizens.

"The Iraqi police understand they're not here just to protect people," Vickery said. "They're also here to serve and look after other problems. That's the future and that's what we're working towards."

• Date Taken: 03.23.2006
• Date Posted: 03.23.2006 15:01
• Story ID: 5832
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ