BAGHDAD — Throughout Baghdad’s Karkh security district, Iraqi Police (IP) make daily strides to earn the trust of the local population.
During the past year, the IP in Saliyah, Karkh, and Juafer have stepped up and taken the lead in securing their neighborhoods. Taking this more active role has placed them in the spotlight in securing Karkh, and the citizens of northwest Baghdad are beginning to appreciate their efforts.
Coalition forces have supported this move by enrolling the IP in the Police Train-the-Trainer program, or PT3, that is run by the 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, operationally attached to the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad at Forward Operating Base Prosperity.
The program starts every few weeks and teaches IP basic fundamentals of marksmanship, dismounted patrolling, traffic control point operations, basic first aid, basic Iraqi law, crime scene management, improvised explosive device identification and reaction, building clearing and searching procedures of a person and a vehicle. The IP then follow up by conducting the training at their station to their fellow officers.
Coalition forces then included the IP on several joint neighborhood clearances. During these clearances, the IP’s took the lead and confiscated a number of AK-47’s and weapon magazines. They also took the lead in talking to the local population. By doing this, the IP have made sure the citizens of Karkh know they are on their side, and are there to ensure they remain safe in their neighborhoods.
“With the increase of responsibility the Iraqi Police in the Karkh district have taken since July, they have been operating without the help of the Iraqi Army,” says Capt. William Macugay, commander, Battery A. 4th Bn. 42nd FA Regt. “They have really taken charge of the area and have been able to respond to significant events and execute missions across the district.”
Coalition forces continue to train the IP’s every day, and see a bright future for them in Karkh.
“The ISF have been very successful in taking control over the Karkh security district and they are the model for the rest of the country’s ISF with the IP’s being in the lead,” said Sgt. Bruce Eggleston, Intel sergeant, Batt. A. 4th Bn. 42 FA Regt.
(Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO)