Photo By Master Sgt. Kevin Doheny | A trainee at the Samarra preparatory police academy provides suppressive fire for...... read more read more
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By Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Doheny
1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
SAMARRA, Iraq - Sixty four Iraqi policemen took the first step toward becoming full-fledged members of the police force in Samarra during a ceremony honoring their completion of a two week training course, Feb. 2.
During the first ever Samarra preparatory police academy graduation ceremony, the newest members of a force designed to protect and serve the citizens of Samarra, received certificates were recognizing their service. The training course was designed to give the men the tools they will need in order to perform basic police duties.
With an urgent need to fill the police ranks with qualified, trained IPs to improve the security within the city of Samarra, the Soldiers from Task Force No Slack, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, developed this intense two week course. Although the TF No Slack Soldiers developed the training criteria, they shared most of the instruction duties with veteran IPs who were selected by police station chiefs in the city.
"During the first few days there were times where the separation between our No Slack Soldiers, American military police and Iraqi police trainers was noticeable. After a few days though you could see the bond between all three elements," said Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey England, No Slack operations sergeant major. "As with our basic trainees and instructors, there became a competitive nature between the three platoons. It truly fostered that competitive spirit needed in training environments."
During the two week course, the men received instruction on everything from drill and discipline to basic police ethics. According to England, who was in charge of the training, the end state was far more than what he expected when he developed the course.
"These guys have the ability to retain information at a remarkable level," he said. "They really grasped the idea of helping the people in the community and that they are there to protect and serve the people of Samarra. I was truly taken back at their level of competence."
Throughout the course the IPs went through an American-style basic training regimen. They were woken up early in the morning to conduct physical training and movement from location to location was done by using drill and ceremony. The days were filled with classes, non-stop training and evaluations.
"They were tired at the end of the day," said England. "There was no horsing around at night; they were ready to go to their quarters and sleep."
"No Slack" Soldiers conducted many engagements with tribal leaders within the city to recruit trainees between the ages of 18 and 35. Although the recruitment was difficult, England says there are, "hundreds more waiting to get in."
"The Soldiers from Charlie Company conducted dismounted patrols in the city and were able to spread the word through engaging local leaders. The tribal counsels did the leg work by passing the information to their people through word of mouth."
England said the most important thing that these men can take away from the course is how to properly interact with the citizens and become a useful tool in serving the people of Samarra.
"The understanding that they are not SWAT or Iraqi army, but rather police designed to protect and serve the people was by far and away the most important factor during the two weeks," England said. "They are to go out and become friends to the people and to only use force when needed. By understanding that philosophy of protecting and serving, they know that they are truly servants to the population."
| Date Taken: | 02.02.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.07.2008 12:24 |
| Story ID: | 17111 |
| Location: | SAMARRA, IQ |
| Web Views: | 237 |
| Downloads: | 221 |
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