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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Feb 9, 2012 - 5:06:14 PM |
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Six more northern Iraq police stations earn operational independence
By Spc. Bradley J. Clark, 4th BCT, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
Nov 17, 2007 - 1:49:11 PM
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Blackanthem Military News
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| An Iraqi flag is highlighted by the sun while it flies high as a symbol of pride Nov. 6, at the main police station in Tal 'Afar, Iraq. On the same day, six Iraqi police stations in the city earned the ability to operation independently from Coalition Forces during a validation ceremony. (Photo by Spc. Bradley J. Clark, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, public affairs) |
TAL 'AFAR, Iraq - Six Iraqi police stations earned full control of their areas of operation during a validation ceremony held Nov. 6 in Tal 'Afar.
The ceremony recognized the station's officers for their ability to provide security to the city of Tal 'Afar without the need of assistance from Coalition Forces.
"They have made a lot of great progress," said Pfc. Matthew Owad, military policeman, 116th MP Company. "The IPs in Tal 'Afar have shown a large ability to work on their own. They are doing more and more with less interaction from Coalition Forces."
According to the members of the 116th MP Co., whose role in Ninevah province includes police transition team duties and the training and mentorship of Iraqi police officers, the IPs in western Ninevah have learned a lot from the training provided by Coalition Forces over the past few years.
"The validation ceremony shows us that the work we have been doing here for the last couple of years in Tal 'Afar has really paid off," said Staff Sgt. Tammy Launer, military policeman, 116th MP Company. "The IPs are taking the training, and what we are teaching them, and using that to make their city a better place."
The ceremony also spotlighted the positive changes that are a direct result of the IPs close involvement with the people of Tal'Afar.
"I have seen such a huge improvement since I have been here," said Launer. "They are doing so much with just the little bit of help that we give them."
Owad agreed with Launer and added, "They do everything well. Their patrols are good and they are always calm and professional. There is nothing that I have seen that they do wrong."
The days of Coalition Forces taking the lead in operations are seemingly in the past.
"We used to have to go with them to transfer detainees and pick up money from Mosul," said Owad, "Now they do it on their own, they just call us and tell us."
With every police station that becomes independent of Coalition assistance, the Iraqi Police are one step closer to providing a safe and free nation to their fellow citizens.
"Our job is to train them until they prove they can do their jobs," said Owad. "Once everyone has that trust in them we move into a supervisory role. This ceremony marks the stage where they can do it on their own. Now all we do is check up on them to see if anything is needed and then move on to the next station. This is the goal for all IP stations in Iraq,"
As the MPs move on to their next training assignment; they will still keep in touch with these six, not because they need to, but because of the friendships they have made over the past few months.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| Mayor Najim of Tal 'Afar, Iraq, speaks at a validation ceremony for six Iraqi police stations Nov. 6, in Tal 'Afar. The ceremony represented the ability of the Iraqi Police at the six stations to operate independently from Coalition Forces. (Photo by Spc. Bradley J. Clark, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, public affairs) |
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| Iraqi Police march to the center of a validation ceremony Nov. 6 in Tal 'Afar, Iraq. The ceremony marked operational independence for the members of six IP stations in Tal 'Afar. (Photo by Spc. Bradley J. Clark, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, public affairs) |
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| Two members of the Iraqi Police exchange possession of their flag during a validation ceremony Nov. 6 in Tal 'Afar, Iraq. This symbolizes the change of operational control for six IP stations in the city from Coalition Forces to the Government of Iraq. (Photo by Spc. Bradley J. Clark, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, public affairs) |
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| Six Soldiers from the 116th Military Police Company prepare to hand over plaques and American flags to the six Iraqi Police station chiefs during a validation ceremony Nov. 6 in Tal 'Afar, Iraq. The ceremony marked the ability of the stations officers to work independently without Coalition Forces control. (Photo by Spc. Bradley J. Clark, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, public affairs) |
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