|
Blackanthem Military News
|
Last Updated:
Mar 11, 2010 - 7:06:35 PM |
|
|
Improvements to Tuz Joint Communications Center Brings Community Together
By Sgt. Angie Johnston, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs, 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - North PAO
Jun 12, 2009 - 7:41:05 PM
|
Email this article
Printer friendly page
|
Blackanthem Military News
 |
| Tim Lorenzen, an American Law Enforcement Professional working with Coalition Forces and the Iraqi Police, explains the cooperative plan that he and the IP have come up with to the JCC Commander, Maj. Mohammad Fadhel Aziz May 30. The station has fallen into disrepair over several decades, and CF is working with police volunteers to restore it to its former state as part of a joint operation to improve the security situation in Tuz. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Angie Johnston, Special Troops Bn., 3rd Inf. Bde. Combat Team, 25th Inf. Div. Public Affairs) |
FORWARD OPERATING BASE BERNSTEIN, TUZ, Iraq - Iraqi and Coalition Forces volunteers are working to improve the city's Joint Communication Center, which is making a serious impression on the community and its outlying towns and villages.
With the help of a specially-trained squad led by 1st Lt. Anthony Francisco and Sgt. 1st Class Jose Buska of the Special Troops Bn., 3rd Inf. Bde. Combat Team, 25th Inf. Div., Iraqi Police are renovating their station and the JCC while being trained on new communication technology.
"A nice place to work improves everyone's attitudes all around," said Maj. Mohammad Fadhel Aziz, the JCC commander. "It's not perfect, but we're getting there."
The police department's evidence officers are also training with Tim Lorenzen, an American Law Enforcement Professional employed by CF to teach the IP new forensics techniques. Lorenzen has been working with IP volunteers to create a working evidence lab within the JCC, which will include a sterile fingerprinting area and several evidence lockers.
"We've been talking to the evidence officers every day - they're so excited to get moved in there and get started," said Francisco. "This is improving the entire justice system. It gives the IP the ability to process cases more efficiently, which will, in turn, result in a safer city."
Lorenzen has been working closely with the IP; his extensive background in law enforcement and forensics is paving the way to an extremely modernized police operation. He's helping them revamp the entire investigation process.
"I'm teaching the investigative police these techniques and how to use their supplies, and I'm also teaching the judges so that they'll know how important it is to accept this sort of evidence," said Lorenzen.
Soldiers from Francisco's platoon are communications experts, and they're helping JCC employees become more proficient at tracking emergencies and cases using computer and radio technology.
"When all the personnel have been trained, the whole operation will be more effective. The IP and JCC can work together to really cut the crime rate in Tuz, and when the evidence room is finished they'll be able to use forensics to solve crimes," said Buska.
This new expertise will help the Tuz Qada become even safer, because the outlying police stations and emergency responders will be able to use the JCC as a hub - creating an efficient system of communication between all safety departments in the area.
The department has also experienced a hiring boom in recent months; as a result, police are able to conduct more drive-through patrols than ever.
The entire police force has been remarkably dedicated to making progress, according to Mohammad, and the results have been tangible.
Residents who live around the JCC and IP station have recently begun coming outside - and allowing their children outside. This is "because they feel safer," said Mohammad.
Occasionally, the Tuz police invite Soldiers attached to the JCC to take short walks outside with them, where locals are able to interact on a sociable basis with both officers and Soldiers. It's not uncommon for an IP or Soldier to carry a bag of candy for Tuz's smallest residents - and this helps reinforce the "friendly neighborhood policeman" image that the department has been working hard to achieve in recent months.
"There's no doubt that all the efforts the IP are putting forth are helping the community in general," said Buska.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
 |
| Sgt. David Johnston spends a few moments talking to an Iraqi mother and playing with her child outside the JCC in Tuz May 30. Residents who live near the JCC have become more comfortable coming outside their homes since CF and IP volunteers have been working to clean up the area and improving JCC and police cooperation. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Angie Johnston, Special Troops Bn., 3rd Inf. Bde. Combat Team, 25th Inf. Div. Public Affairs) |
|
 |
| Sgt. Kurt Russell Stroude and Tim Lorenzen, an American Law Enforcement Professional working with the Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces, begin patching the walls at the Tuz IP station so they can be painted in a joint effort to renovate the building May 30. The station has fallen into disrepair over several decades, and CF is working with police volunteers to restore it to its former state as part of a joint operation to improve the security situation in Tuz. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Angie Johnston, Special Troops Bn., 3rd Inf. Bde. Combat Team, 25th Inf. Div. Public Affairs) |
|
Comments
NO Soliciting.
Comments with links to websites or soliciting services will be removed.
Please read our Terms of use for more information.
Geraldine Francisco
17 Jun 2009, 21:54
Sgt. Angie Johnston,
I would like to thank you for writing this article and sharing this
information with the families of these soldiers. I appreciate their
positive efforts to make a difference and I am so proud of my son. Thank
you!
|
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
