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Learning More Everyday

Photo By Matt Acosta | Iraqi policemen pour out plastic containers of fuel being illegally sold in Balad....... read more read more

BALAD, IRAQ

09.13.2005

Courtesy Story

22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Staff Sgt. Matthew Acosta, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE PALIWODA, Balad, Iraq -- As the Iraqi army and police forces continue to take charge, constant Coalition Forces patrols are still crucial in protecting the development of Iraq and its security forces.

These patrols show a presence of military power and law enforcement for Coalition Forces as well as the Iraqi police.

"Our patrols are conducted with the Iraqi police and army to show the Iraqis they area capable of enforcing the same law and order we enforce," said Cpl. Robert Miller, infantryman, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Liberty. "When we go out with them and let them take charge, it shows the people that we respect them as a security force, and in return, the people respect them more."

One step in handing control of the roads to the Iraqi police is to build police checkpoints at strategic or problematic areas where there may be high insurgent activity.

Miller said before, they couldn't tell the police apart from the everyday citizens because they had no uniforms, but now they have uniforms, and are building police checkpoint facilities that have enough rooms for them to work in as well as sleeping quarters.

Months of training, supervision and support shaped the police force into a more professional security element.

"Now these guys have so much pride in themselves and what they're doing here," said Sgt. Timothy Gardner, infantryman, 5-7. "You can totally see the difference in their performance from several months ago."

Gardner said the police take their jobs seriously, especially since they got uniforms and actual checkpoints instead of just a shack on the side of the road.

"It gives them motivation and purpose," he said.

Although many of the policemen are taking law enforcement more seriously, there are still some who may "look the other way" when a small crime is being committed, said Petery.

"People are selling propane on the side of the road, maybe one or two containers to survive, but the fact of the matter is that selling fuel outside a gas station is illegal," said Lt. Col. Jody Petery, commander, 5-7. "If we give the appearance that small crimes are okay, then we will never take complete control of the crime situation."

Several people were caught stealing fuel from a broken pipeline earlier this month, said Petery.

"What we need to do is let these officers know the Iraqi government is losing $4 million dollars every day because of fuel theft and illegal sales, with this money we could easily buy 20 or 30 new police vehicles and build multiple checkpoints."

According to Petery, insurgents will damage the pipeline, causing delays in Iraq's economic development. When the fuel leaks out other Iraqis collect it and use it or try to sell it.

"We can't look the other way on this, it's a growing problem," Petery said. "These people need to be arrested and jailed for their crimes. Just because they aren't the ones who damage the pipeline, they are still stealing from the government and it needs to stop.

"If the police let them get away with it, they should be the ones arrested because they are allowing this by not doing something to stop it," Petery added. "We need to be stern with this."

Miller said when the Iraqi policemen are confronted with something they have never encountered before, or something where they don't know how to react, they quickly adapt to the situation with a little help from the Coalition Forces.

"If they don't understand something, or know what to do, we show them how to handle a situation, and they pick it up real fast," said Miller.

"There's no doubt in my mind these guys will be fine when we finally turn (Balad) over to them entirely," Miller said. "They learn more everyday and are more proficient at what they are doing, it's just a matter of time before we finally step back and leave their city in their hands."