By Sgt. Rodney Foliente
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
CAMP ECHO, Iraq – Soldiers from the Military Police Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, visited the Iraqi police Qada District headquarters in Diwaniya, Oct. 5, 2008.
The MPs began operations in Qadisiya province at the beginning of October in a support role to IPs, to assist in further professionalizing them and maintaining security gains in a now peaceful province.
"It was the first time we visited with the DHQ for an initial evaluation of the station and to get to know who we'll be working with," said 1st Lt. Justin Boberg, platoon leader, MP Plt.
Boberg said he was impressed with the professionalism of the IPs and their near self-sufficiency. He spent most of his last deployment, from March to September 2007, in Diwaniya and worked with some of the same Iraqi personnel, including the DHQ commander, Brig. Gen. Hussain Farham.
"It's a huge change from the last time I was here. They're pretty much self-sustaining," said Boberg, who comes from Oxford, N.Y. He said that the DHQ and IP stations relied heavily on Coalition forces for logistics and planning during his last rotation, and expressed excitement and pride at seeing the change.
"[Farham] said he had no issues and that the system now works," said Boberg, and during the assessment and interview with Farham and others, he said he could find no serious problems or deficiencies.
"It was really important to meet them face to face and build a good rapport and working relationship," said Staff Sgt. Jason Reaume, squad leader, MP Plt.
If there are any future issues, the IPs know the MPs can assist them in resolving the issues themselves, without requiring overt assistance from CF, said Reaume, who comes from Toledo, Ohio.
Both Soldiers also said they were impressed with the street presence of the IPs and their ability to keep the peace.
"The visual presence of the IPs on the streets and at checkpoints is a lot higher than any I've ever seen in Iraq," Boberg said.
That heavy IP presence gives them a stronger appearance to the Iraqi people. "They've also taken a good stance in pushing out the militias and keeping the policing strength within the hands of the provincial government," said Reaume.
"Their professionalism and being out in force helps the citizens feel safer because they know they are more protected against [improvised explosive devices] and other threats," said Reaume.
The DHQ is in charge of the four IP stations within the district.