Graduation marks new security levels

Photo By Spc. Cal Turner | International police liaisons and military police from the 303rd Military Police Company, 89th Military Police Battalion, a reserve unit out of Jackson, Mich., train Iraqi police cadets how to properly hold a 9 mm pistol Jan. 18, 2007, at Forward Operating Base Summerall, Iraq. U.S.  

BAYJI, IRAQ

01.29.2002

Story by Spc. Joshua Ford 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division

By Spc. Joshua R. Ford
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division PAO

FORAWARD OPERATING BASE SUMMERALL, Iraq — Siniyah and Sulihiyah are seeing new policemen out on the beat with the recent graduation of more than 80 Iraqi police officers.

Gen. Ahmed Abdullah, the governor's security advisor for the Salah ad Din Province, Col. Saad Nafoos, Bayji district chief of police, and Lt. Col. Scott Harris, commander, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, attended the first such graduation Jan. 21, 2007, at Iraqi Forward Operating Base Lion's Iraqi Police training course.

"Security will go to a very high level in Siniyah and Sulihiyah because of the professional training coalition forces have provided for us," said Nafoos. "I am very proud of the men that have graduated here today."

A number of military units and contracted civilian police officers began training recruits Jan. 7, 2007, at Iraqi Army Forward Operating Base Lion to bolster Siniyah's and Sulihiyah's police force.

More than 45 Iraqi police candidates arrived Jan. 6, 2007, at Forward Operating Base Lion for in-processing. The following day nearly 30 returned to begin the course. Throughout the first week more than 80 candidates came for the training.

The candidates were nominated by each city's local leadership and tribal sheiks, said Abdullah. He made it clear to each city that there would be no tribe discrimination in the nominating process, this way it would build camaraderie between the local tribes.

Since the two cities are adjacent to each other the two police forces will be working together often, making camaraderie between the forces an important factor.

The Iraqi police training course included classes on force protection, roadside bomb awareness, maintenance, securing a crime scene, first aid, weapons familiarization, range training and physical fitness training.

"I want to be here," said Ali Nif Hassad, Iraqi police training course graduate from Siniyah. "The training was hard but it was very good. We are ready to fight the terrorists and protect Siniyah now."

The police recruits seemed very enthusiastic about the training. Every morning the candidates would march to Forward Operating Base Lion's front gate then get into formation for accountability, showing discipline and motivation, said Herb Rouse, international police liaison officer.

"I have never seen anything like it before," added Rouse. "It's like night and day compared to other places I've worked and trained (Iraqis). These guys are motivated and they caught on quick when it came to the training."

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity — to build a police force from scratch," said Capt. Paul Hoiland, commander, 303rd Military Police Company. "It is critical that we get this right and continue to move forward in establishing security in Siniyah. I am impressed by the motivation of these men and their courage to step forward."

Seasoned noncommissioned officers from 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, assisted with the instruction in an effort to also foster greater camaraderie between the Iraqi army and police force.

"It is critical for us to build a sense of cooperation between the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police. They must trust one another and be able to rely on one another in tough circumstances," said Lt. Col. Scott Harris, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry commander. "These two units, in addition to the Strategic Infrastructure Battalions within the Bayji area, need to work side-by-side in providing security. This is an amazing first step."

Coalition forces recently isolated Siniyah and cleared the city of terrorists; terrorists who influenced the majority of the city's police force to quit by constantly threatening to harm their families.

Now in accordance with the basic counterinsurgency strategy of clear, hold and build; coalition forces are in the beginning of the build phase, said Maj. Curtis Buzzard, executive officer, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

Harris will continue to engage the leaders of Siniyah and Suliyah to provide additional recruits in order to ensure that there are a sufficient number of policemen to secure both cities.

If necessary 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and the 303rd Military Police Company will conduct future classes to support the police forces in both cities.

"People in Siniyah and Sulihiyah had no trust in the police force. With (recent operations conducted in the area) and the professional training these men have received the people now have confidence in the police," said Abdullah. "Hopefully if coalition forces will be willing to do another class we will accept and provide more recruits for the training."

• Date Taken: 01.29.2002
• Date Posted: 01.29.2007 13:15
• Story ID: 8980
• Location: BAYJI, IQ