Posted on 02/15/2008 5:15:28 PM PST by SandRat
BAGHDAD — More than 1,000 Iraqi recruits moved through a security checkpoint near the front entrance of the FuratTraining Center, Feb. 10. “We are here to become Iraqi Police (IP) officers, to get a good job and we are here for our country,” said Jabbav Mitir, one of the more than 1,000 IP recruits who arrived at the Furat Training Center to begin their training to become Iraqi policemen.
Mitir, like some of his fellow recruits, was formerly a part of the ‘Sons of Iraq’; a citizen security program, and now wants to give more back to his country by becoming a shurta (policeman) who will protect its citizens.
“These are citizens who wanted to stop crimes in the past; now they will be allowed to do that,” said Capt. Mohammad, training commander, IP’s Forward Unit.
The Sons of Iraq, who are now training to become IP, are part of the IP expansion program. This program aims to train more than 12,000 new recruits from surrounding provinces.
During the first day, the recruits were signed in, provided quarters where they will live during Basic Recruit Training, and were told what was to be expected in the two-week training cycle.
During the course, a typical training day for the recruits includes learning basic law enforcement techniques, such as weapons training, combative techniques, structure-clearing techniques, first-aid and defensive maneuvers against small-arms attacks. IP candidates also learn basic understanding of democratic law enforcement and policing skills, while incorporating values, ethics and human rights, crime scene preservation and detention procedures.
The 18th Military Police Brigade Police Transition Team and the 35th Engineer Brigade worked for several weeks planning and executing the preparation of the Furat facility, which became operational in a ribbon cutting ceremony, Feb 9.
The facility opening is part of a Multi-National Division – Baghdad strategy to support the IP expansion program.
“This is an additional opportunity to train police forces to protect the Iraq people,” said native of Hattiesburg, Miss., Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, commanding general for the 4th Infantry Division and commander of MND-Baghdad to reporters following the ribbon cutting ceremony.
This class of recruits is the first of many that will flow through the new Furat Iraqi Police Training Center in the upcoming months. Following the training, the recruits will be assigned to IP stations around Baghdad and local provinces.
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