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| Course helps officers maintain proficiency in common-core and police-specific tasks. |
| By Maj. Eric Verzola 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) 25th Infantry Division |
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KALSU, Iraq, Feb. 15, 2007 -- Iraqi policemen from the Babil and Karbala provinces took a big step on the journey towards Provincial Iraqi Control on Feb. 10.
The Iraqi police stations across the Babil and Karbala provinces sent 20 dedicated, experienced officers to the forward operating base to attend the Iraqi police sustainment-training program. After 10 days, the officers graduated the course having gained valuable knowledge to provide advanced instruction to fellow officers at their home stations. “The training was very, very good. I learned so much in this program,” said Raeed Shahid, from the Iskandariyah police station. “God willing, we will assist in a better future here in Iraq.” The training program’s goal is to help Iraqi police officers maintain law enforcement proficiency at the fundamental and supervisory levels. Its long-term goal is to provide advanced instruction in order to increase their proficiency in their law enforcement skills, explained Capt. John Shaw, the officer in charge of the IPST program and provost marshal for the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. “This program will help the IPs to maintain proficiency in common-core and police-specific tasks, helping to improve the security in the provinces,” said Shaw, a native of Lakeland, Fla. |
| The instructors in the program, or Iraqi police liaison officers, were from various locations in the United States. The IPLOs were excited about contributing to the war on terror as instructors in the program. ‘It is very exciting and a great honor to be part of this program,” said Robert Spencer, a native of Sumter, S.C. and a sheriff in the Sumter County Sheriffs Department. “These IPs are making history by being here and completing this inaugural course.” “When I found out that there was an opportunity to make a difference with the IP force and help them to reach another level in law enforcement, I took advantage of it,” said Troy Cox, an IPLO and investigator from the Atlanta Police Department. “We (IPLOs) gain a lot from this experience as instructors. It has been an absolutely great experience. By teaching here, we learn. We come away seeing law enforcement in a different aspect.” Achieving Provincial Iraqi Control requires an effective Iraqi security force. The program can make the difference in the country’s journey to PIC with the Iraqi police providing effective law enforcement capabilities and an endearing loyalty to the government and people of Iraq, said Col. Michael Garrett, commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. “These brave men have shown that they will do what is necessary to provide rule of law to the Iraqi citizens in their respective provinces,” Garrett said at the graduation ceremony. “Their commitment to Iraq and dedication to duty as peace officers is evident in the efforts they made to reach this graduation day. It is an honor to be in their presence.” |
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