Subscribe
By Capt. Janet Herrick
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
TIKRIT, Iraq-- The 97th Military Police Battalion conducted a Police Transition Team (PTT) workshop at Contingency Operating Base Speicher Saturday to discuss challenges and share ideas concerning the ongoing training of Iraqi Police.
PTT representatives from seven provinces in Multinational Division-North gathered with International Police Liaison Officers (IPLO) and staff advisors gathered with the goal to help units from different areas develop a common training plan in the Iraqi Police development process.
The aim of PTTs is to make the Iraqi Police self-sustainable tactically, operationally, and logistically so that the police are prepared to take over responsibility of their area.
The 97th MP Battalion is composed of nine active duty, reserve, and National Guard units that include an air force detachment, infantry company and field artillery battery. The leaders of these units have formed PTTs across the region responsible for training more than 81,000 Iraqi Police at 502 Iraqi Police Stations.
"We are training the Iraqi Police to be self-sufficient so that they can do the job when we leave," said Master Sgt. James Vogel, 303rd Military Police Company, PTT Operations Non-commissioned Officer.
One of the biggest challenges the PTTs face in their training mission is logistics, according to Vogel. Accurate reporting of equipment and supplies on hand is essential.
Master Sgt. Vogel has identified that his Iraqi Police stations lack computer and administrative personnel to maintain logistics data. Some PTTs have done on-the-job training partnering their Soldiers' automation skills with the Iraqi Policeman responsible for logistics at their station.
Additionally, the Transition Integration Program Academy, an Iraqi Police school, run in Tikrit teaches a computer literacy class. The training package will be distributed to the PTTs so they can teach Iraqi Police the skills to track logistics.
In each region of MND-N, the training and schools for the Iraqi Police vary based on resources available and what works best.
The Mosul Police Academy conducts a 10-week basic police-training program designed to provide fundamental policing skills based on international human rights standards to prepare students to assume police responsibilities. In Kirkuk, a three-week Transitional Integration Program developed for serving police with little or no basic training. The program is a condensed version of the 10-week course.
In areas where security or resources have not allowed Iraqi Police to attend an academy, trainers go to the police stations. Both the PTTs and IPLOs have been flexible and proactive in preparing training critical to improving the proficiency of the Iraqi Police and conducting it in the environment most suited for them to attend training. Police leaders continue to standardize the curriculum for Iraqi Police training that emphasizes combat-survival and police skills while building an attitude of teamwork and cohesion.
The successes at one station may be a challenge at another. The PTTs can identify solutions faster through routine cross-talk in meetings, reports, and e-mails.
"I plan to spend more time with the squad leaders at the police stations to see their concerns and challenges," said Vogel. Additionally, he plans to hold weekly squad leader meetings to find out what they need help with and let them share solutions to problems that other stations can benefit from.
"We must think outside the box and get ideas from all units," said Maj. Robert Cosgrove, Battalion Operations Officer, 97th MP Battalion. He concluded the day discussing additional options to improve the logistics, training and assessments of the Iraqi Police.
| Date Taken: | 01.29.2002 |
| Date Posted: | 01.29.2007 09:56 |
| Story ID: | 8969 |
| Location: | TIKRIT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 137 |
| Downloads: | 93 |
This work, Police leaders meet to share ideas, by LTC Janet Herrick, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
