Pushing ahead with 'Year of the Police'

Multi-National Forces-Iraq ^ | Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

[SandRat]

Spc. Patrick Hart, military policeman, hands over keys to an Iraqi Police lieutenant of the Tarmiyah Police Station for seven of the 18 new Iraqi Police trucks being distributed from Camp Taji. The Iraqi Police are being issued 96 trucks throughout the 1st Brigade Combat Team’s area of responsibility, north of Baghdad, to help the police curb sectarian violence. Department of Defense photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt.

CAMP TAJI -- In an effort to make the Taji district north of Baghdad a safer place to live, Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers provided the Iraqi Police stations in Taji, Saab al Bour, Mushada and Tarmiyah with 96 new trucks. The donation is just one of many steps being taken by Coalition forces to ensure Iraqis realize success in a year dedicated to bolstering and improving the country’s Police force.

Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division and the 463rd Military Police Company are distributing the new trucks, repairing the district’s disabled Police trucks, and providing Police personnel with uniforms and weapons.

“When we arrived here, they (the Iraqi police) were not able to sustain themselves,” said 2nd Lt. Mitchell Thompson, platoon leader, 463rd MP Co. “They are now able to sustain operations on their own. For instance, they have taken over several checkpoints in the Tarmiya district and are now able to maintain numerous patrols throughout the city.”

With 2006 dubbed the “Year of the Police,” MND-B Soldiers, along with their Iraqi counterparts, have stepped up efforts to put the Iraqi Policemen in the lead for security throughout Baghdad and its surrounding area.

By way of example, just seven months ago, the Police station in Tarmiyah had less than 20 Policemen patrolling by foot in the city of more than 35,000 residents. The police had two broken-down vehicles, no uniforms, virtually no body armor and lacked necessities such as bullets and weapons.

Lt. Ahman, from the Saab al Bour Police Station, gives the thumbs up after he gets in one of the six new Iraqi Police trucks distributed to his police station north of Baghdad Aug. 25. Department of Defense photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt.

The city now has more than 145 Policemen equipped with new body armor, uniforms, bullets and enough vehicles to conduct combat patrols.

“These vehicles have enough power to chase the bad guys if we have to,” said an Iraqi officer. “I like these vehicles, and they will be very good for patrols. I also have a vest to protect my body, a Glock to protect myself, a helmet to protect my head and a vehicle to patrol.”

Before the Police started taking control of security, cities in the region had been patrolled by Iraqi Army and MND-B Soldiers. Now, as the Iraqi Police force builds in strength and ability, the Police are increasingly taking over that role.

“I think they have improved dramatically,” Thompson said. “Now the police chiefs are taking charge of their stations and telling the policemen what needs to happen - and it does happen.”

[SandRat]

This sort of news must just drive Kerry-n-Kennedy Krazy.

[AlexandriaDuke]

"The Year of the Police".

You can't make this up. Well ... Orwell did.

[ClearCase_guy]

Now I've got "Roxanne" going through my head.