Posted on 04/25/2008 4:05:09 PM PDT by SandRat
KIRKUK — Kirkuk reached a significant milestone as it transitioned the last of its traffic control points from Iraqi army control to the Iraqi police last week, at a check point just north of the city.
Governor Abdul Rahman Mustafa, the provincial governor, Maj. Gen. Jamal Thaker Bakr, the provincial director of police, Brig. Gen. Omar Aref Waly Khatab, the emergency services unit commander, and Lt. Col. Kevin Brown, deputy commander, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, toured the TCP with the Iraqi police to greet residents as they entered the first city in Iraq to be under the full operational control of the Iraqi police.
“Today’s handover demonstrates that Kirkuk is operating under the Rule of Law, not martial law and that is what we are marking here today,” said Brown.
The ceremony was held at the Irbil traffic control point just north of Kirkuk and was the last one to complete a four-week transition with the 15th Iraqi Army Brigade. The Iraqi police have maintained the day to day security responsibilities of the city for almost two years. This day marks the complete transition. Governor Mustafa praised the hard work of the Iraqi army and Iraqi police. He gave a special thanks to the coalition forces for helping to set the conditions that made this day possible. Maj. Gen. Jamal and Brig. Gen. Khatab, whose police officers now man the check-points, highlighted that their officers are ready and capable of their new responsibilities and that the Iraqi army now has the additional forces to focus on the insurgents outside the city.
“Today is a matter of duty – the duty of the Iraqi police to protect and serve their people and this day marks their assumption of that duty. It is a humble ceremony, but it should be cause for celebration for all of the people of Kirkuk that they have taken control of their future - a future that they do not fear - and that their police are fully capable of providing them safety and security.” said Brown.
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