Training Facility Showcases Instruction Given
Top Coalition and Iraqi Military officials gathered with members of the local Iraqi government near Baghdad to view a demonstration by the Iraqi Police Training group. A practical demonstration of their training and ability was given by the 493 new police officers that are graduating.
“We are very pleased, the increase in our police ranks will help our citizens a great deal,” said Captain Mohammad, Iraqi Forces Training Commander. “We are anticipating only positives and good things in our immediate future,” said Mohammad.
There are plans in place to train and equip more than twelve thousand new Police members for the Iraqi National Police. The new Iraqi Police Training facility plans to train these candidates to give the number of personnel necessary to effectively police the region.
“We are most excited and anxious to find out what specific improvements we need to make to get this done,” stated Major Larry Dewey. Major Dewey is with Coalition Forces, and is the 18th Military Iraqi Police Brigade Chief. Part of the effective demonstration showcases how new techniques that the Iraqi Police are being trained in will assist them in their duties.
This demonstration is especially impressive because the current class of Police recruits was trained entirely by the efforts of Iraqi Police instructors at the training center. This is one of the first classes to go through the program that was trained completely 100 percent by Iraqi Instructors. Previously part of the instruction was given by Coalition instructors, and shows how much the program and the Iraqi Police Force itself is maturing and growing.
Part of their training also focuses on human rights, ethics, professional values and basic democratic policing and law enforcement skills. Much of this information is new to most Iraqi’s, but is being absorbed and implemented with great speed.