Story by Spc. James P. Hunter
MNC-I PAO
The U.S. military is on a mission to train, equip and mentor the Iraqi police forces, helping Iraq become self-sufficient.
The 49th Military Police Brigade is playing a big role in equipping, sustaining and creating police forces throughout Iraq.
The overall goal of the military is to build the Iraqi police forces so they can take complete control within a counter insurgency environment, said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mark L. Walton, 49th MP Bde. maintenance officer.
"History has shown the societies that had their Army providing domestic order are not successful," said Lt. Col. Peter Cross, operations officer, 49th MP Bde. "If the police are trained properly and are accessible to the community, then they can assume the domestic order mission."
Since taking over operations in late September, the 49th military policemen assumed the mission and task to expand the police forces.
They have battalion and company size elements throughout Iraq helping to train and sustain the forces.
The Iraqi police are training at the Baghdad Police Academy and Highway Patrol Academy, becoming trusted members of their community as civilian cops, said Walton.
Once the police forces arrive at the Iraqi Police Station their training continues so they can maintain and even improve their skills, said Walton.
The 49th MP Bde. travels to various Iraqi Police Stations to ensure that all Iraqi's are fully equipped with fuel, clothing, standardized weapons and ammunition so they can perform their missions, he said.
"We work with them to sustain the momentum of repairing their vehicles, assist them with the challenges they have with parts, equipment and tools to enable them to operate with out our assistance," Walton said.
Since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, police headquarters have been established in 18 provinces.
Currently, Iraq has policemen patrolling the streets, maintaining traffic, conducting check points, patrolling the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and they have a unit focused on major crimes.
"Anyone who doubts (Iraq's) ability to be a police force, I would point to the December 15th elections and say you're wrong," Cross said.
The Iraqi's developed a plan and successfully fulfilled their mission: providing and performing security measures during the Iraqi National Elections, he said.
"Victory comes in small increments. To keep the plan moving forward we must stay focused and never give up," Cross said. "It's easy to get skeptical and negative when there are setbacks, but I believe in this mission."
The 49th MP Bde. will continue to provide the Iraqi policeman with the necessary training and equipment needed to secure Iraq.
(Editor's Note: Spc. James Hunter is assigned to the 49th Public Affairs Detachment, 82nd Airborne Division and is currently supporting MNC-I Public Affairs.)