Posted on 04/17/2010 7:23:01 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD – The 49th Military Police Brigade, responding to a request from Iraqi officials, recently assisted the Iraqi Police as it investigated the April 4 bomb attacks on foreign embassies here.
Two deadly suicide vehicle bombings caused severe property damage, multiple deaths and dozens of injuries. Joint Investigative Teams from the 49th linked up with Baghdad police officials at the sites to conduct investigations that will hopefully lead to the arrest of the terrorists involved.
At each scene, American investigators worked with IP to secure the crime scene, collect and protect evidence and interview potential witnesses.
"The JIT assists the Iraqi on-scene commander in cordoning off the area and collecting evidence for exploitation,” said Maj. Jeanette Stuart, officer in charge of one of the JITs. “We advise and assist the Iraqi Police on the scene to enable them to lead in the investigation."
Although performing an investigation is the most important function of a JIT, that’s impossible without a secure crime scene free of pedestrians, secondary explosive devices and follow-up attacks. Working with the Iraqi Army and IP, the security element transporting the JIT investigators ensured they were protected from these possible threats.
"Our job is to help the investigators do their job. It is challenging because the situation is very fluid,” said 1st Lt. Bradley Churchill, the leader of the security teams. “Because we can't predict when we will get the call and where we will be sent, we always have to be ready to respond quickly and remain flexible."
Once the 49th was aware of the Easter Sunday bombings, Churchill was called and ordered to have his teams ready as soon as possible. At the same time, Maj. Dillon Haynes, a JIT officer in charge, called his IP partners at Baghdad's Provincial Department of Police to offer the assistance of the 49th.
The PDOP commander, Maj. Gen. Ali, accepted the offer as soon as it was relayed to him by his Chief Investigative Officer, Lt. Col. Shakir.
"When we heard there was a major bombing in Baghdad, we immediately called PDOP to see if they would like us to assist with the investigation,” said Sgt. 1st Class Arne Eastlund, the senior non-commissioned officer on Haynes' investigative team. “When Maj. Gen. Ali said yes, and the Baghdad Operations Center approved, we linked up with our security elements and we were ready to roll."
Since the 49th began their deployment here in October, Haynes and Eastlund have worked closely with Baghdad's PDOP on many occasions.
According to Eastland, this close relationship was instrumental in the PDOP quickly accepting the assistance of the 49th.
"All those meetings paid off. We built a level of trust,” he said. “They think we will have their best interests at heart. They trust that we will advise, not dictate."
Capt. Jonathan Ralston, commander of a Combined Explosive Exploitation Center team here was a member of Haynes' JIT that day. According to Ralston, the responsibility of a CEXC is primarily to "collect and process all IED related evidence from a post-blast site." Ralston believes the JIT's combination of CEXC investigators, Military Police and law enforcement professionals allows the JIT to optimally exploit a crime scene for evidence.
"JIT works well because it leverages the investigative expertise of experienced law enforcement professionals with our expertise in collecting and processing post-blast site evidence," he said. “We are not experts on identifying and interviewing witnesses, and they are not experts on improvised explosive devices. There is more to these crimes than just a bomb."
With the help of CEXC investigators and law enforcement professionals, the 49th is using JITs to help the IP develop and strengthen advanced policing skills.
In 2005 and 2006, as in their current deployment, the 49th directed the training of the IP throughout Iraq. However, during their previous deployment, the 49th focused on assisting the IP with developing basic skills and resources necessary for any functioning police unit.
"In 2006, our focus was to make sure the Iraqi Police had sufficient uniforms, weapons and force protection materials; knew how to handcuff, and showed up to work and were paid on time," said Brig. Gen. Donald Currier, commander of the 49th.
"Now, we are assisting them with advanced investigations. Our partnership with the Iraqi Police has come a long way," added Currier, who served as the deputy commander of the 49th in 2005 and 2006.
One important goal of further developing the IP's capacity to conduct advanced investigations is to strengthen their credibility in the eyes of the Iraqi judiciary. According to Lt. Col. Timothy Rieger, Staff Judge Advocate and Rule of Law coordinator for the 49th, JIT can help build a closer relationship between IP and judges.
"The Ministry of Justice has just implemented a forensic evidence protocol that is consistent with international principles," said Rieger. "Since JIT investigators and the Iraqi Police who partner with them use these protocols as a guide, these types of investigations can help integrate the Iraqi Police and Iraq's Judiciary.”
Although the 49th and their JITs are looking forward to assisting the IP and Iraq's judiciary on the investigation of major crimes, it is not possible unless Iraqi authorities request their assistance.
Since the implementation of the Security Agreement between the United States and Iraq in the summer of 2009, Iraq's Security Forces lead and command all security efforts here. However, they will still accept assistance from the American military if needed.
Lt. Col. Shakir says he appreciates the assistance his police receive from the 49th.
"There is a huge success when it comes to investigations between the 49th, PDOP, and the Baghdad Operations Center,” he said. “We push for these missions where we work together. The 49th has always supported us. They always do their job. They are on it!"
Darned Amish.
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