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FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq — A man drives through an Iraqi checkpoint dressed as the most respected figure in Iraqi tribal communities: the sheik. He dons in the long dress-like apparel, known as the abaiyah, and the traditional head-dress, the kifeayah, draped over his head and hanging past his shoulders.
He pulls up, stops and is questioned by Iraqi federal police. He demands to keep going through the checkpoint, because, after all, he is the sheik.
A policeman tells the sheik in a command voice, "Shaikh, Aukhraj Men Al-Sayrah!" or in English, "Sir, step out of the car!" The shiek steps out of the car and, the IFPs then search him and his vehicle professionally and accurately, finding guns, knives and explosives.
Staff Sgt. Jose De La Sierra, an NCO assigned to the 114th Military Police Company, playfully pulls the head dress off of the "sheik" and tells him to replace it with his patrol cap. Specialist. Sean Cortes puts it on and shakes hands with the IFPs. The IFPs smile, proud of themselves for exhibiting expertise and professionalism during the traffic control training given to them by the 114th MPs.
The IFPs along with the Iraqi Quick Reaction Force have been working with the 114th Military Police Company weekly on Forward Operating Base Marez in northern Iraq to perfect their policemen skills, sharpening their traffic control skills during this training exercise, Feb. 2.
De La Sierra, Task Force Marne non-commissioned officer in charge of the training, said the policemen have not only been enjoying themselves during the training, but they have also been doing an excellent job, soaking up all information taught to them.
"Our sole purpose is to teach them the proper procedures for searching vehicles and personnel during traffic control. We role play, giving them hands-on training so when they are out there patrolling, this will all be second nature to them," said De La Sierra.
He added this training will definitely give the IFPs a solid foundation to stand on once U.S. Soldiers have completely pulled out of the policemen's area of operations.
"We are empowering the IFPs, teaching them to capture criminals and properly document all evidence found so that these suspects will be held and tried for their crimes instead of being released back into population," he said.
They are instructed to stop all vehicles, ask for identification, and if they have any suspicions, search the vehicle and its passengers thoroughly.
"If any incriminating evidence is found, we taught them to compile it and to take pictures of the evidence, the criminals and the license plate of the vehicle. Following all these procedures, the bad guys are sure to be convicted leaving the streets of Mosul a much safer place," said De La Sierra.
Miqdad Shukur Muhmmod, QRF member, said that the training has definitely proven beneficial, and he and his fellow co-workers are growing more and more confident with each training session.
"The training has helped a lot," he said. "Once all the Soldiers leave, we will be able to protect our people, making sure our country is safe and the people are well."
| Date Taken: | 02.06.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.06.2010 16:32 |
| Story ID: | 45024 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, IQ |
| Web Views: | 152 |
| Downloads: | 131 |
This work, Iraqi security forces undergo traffic control training, by SPC Crystal M. Bradley, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
