Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Seth Barham | Lt. Col. Douglas Cardinale, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Rodney Foliente
2nd Brigade Combat Day, 4th Infantry Division
CAMP ECHO, Iraq – The city of Diwaniya held a celebration for Iraqi police day at the downtown parade field, Jan. 8.
The ceremony was hosted by Maj. Gen. Safa Jassim, provincial director of police, with the governor of Diwaniya and provincial council members among the guests of honor in attendance.
"We appreciate the hard work of the Iraqi police. They do an outstanding job. We congratulate them and honor their anniversary," said Gov. Hamid al-Khudari, during the ceremony.
Local policemen from the different branches paraded before their audience in marching formations or rode in vehicles, followed by members of the fire department.
Some of the police elements also put on demonstrations during the ceremony. Members of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team demonstrated apprehending a group of criminals who were driving in a vehicle. The explosive ordnance disposal team then demonstrated diffusing an improvised explosive device, followed by a performance by the martial arts team, who also formed a human pyramid, with the Iraqi flag proudly waving at its peak.
Heaters and blankets were also presented to the family members of fallen policemen, who were honored for paying the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.
"The IP are progressing. They're doing very well. They've come a tremendous way from what they were a few years ago especially, but even from a few months ago," said Lt. Col. Douglas Cardinale, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division commander. The battalion is currently working to help professionalize the IP.
"The IP are extremely important to the security of Iraq. The IP are the ones that the populace has the most contact with, even more so than the Iraqi army eventually," said Cardinale. The current plan will eventually place the IA outside of the city, leaving most of the security responsibility for within the city, he said.
"The IP are what give the populace that security blanket, just like back at home, when you see a police officer on the street, you know that area is more secure," said Cardinale.
| Date Taken: | 01.08.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.12.2009 09:00 |
| Story ID: | 28741 |
| Location: | DIWANIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 359 |
| Downloads: | 229 |
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