Courtesy Photo | An Iraqi police officer shakes hands with Capt. Patrick Blankenship, C Company, 3rd...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Tony White
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
AD DUJAL, Iraq—Nearly 30 Iraqi policemen graduated from a basic survival course Saturday near the city of Ad Dujal.
The officers now rejoin the Iraqi police after completing the five-week course designed to familiarize the policemen with a basic skill set necessary to protect and serve the local population as well as themselves.
During the first two weeks of the course the officer's education covered a curriculum comparable to basic training subjects such as weapons, marksmanship, searching and questioning techniques. As the course progressed, the policemen moved to manning checkpoints near Ad Dujal, standing side-by-side with U.S. forces for a three-week internship.
Interacting with locals was an integral part of the on-the-job training, said Iraqi Gen. Muzhir Aubed Dharfir, police chief for the Salah ad Din province.
"The new volunteer (policeman) does not have any experience," he said. "After taking this course, he will have that experience in the field. God willing, we will get to continue to train these officers."
"We are improving their skills here," he continued. "This is primary training and there is room for improvement in the future for their skills and the training."
Although the course may have provided the police officers new techniques and some much needed police experience, for some of the officers it was a refresher course, said Capt. Patrick Blankenship, C Company, 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment commander.
"You have a lot of former soldiers from the old Iraqi army, who are going to be Iraqi policemen," Blankenship said. "A lot of them have a base line of training and it is good for them to get back in the saddle again."
From day one, the officers showed a level of motivation and enthusiasm that allowed the training to set in with them, Blankenship said.
"The officers have survived and thrived doing the training," Blankenship said. "(Graduation) is a sense of accomplishment for them and us to see the fruit of their labor. This is worth-while training and it is serving and protecting the Iraqi people."
| Date Taken: | 03.23.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 03.23.2007 10:41 |
| Story ID: | 9586 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 39 |
| Downloads: | 27 |
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