nastyleg
02-24-2010, 01:28 AM
Military Police prep Iraqis for election security
FOB WARHORSE - To better protect the Iraqi people and ensure a smooth election process here, U.S. Soldiers with the 66th Military Police Company recently completed instructing a five-day election security course for 36 local Iraqi Policemen who are responsible for the task.
Military Police prep Iraqis for election security
Sgt. David Patterson, 66th MP Company, election security class non-commissioned officer in charge, lectures during a five-day course of instruction for Iraqi Police on FOB Warhorse, Feb. 3, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kenneth Bince.
The Fort Lewis, Wash., based MP company, nicknamed “War Eagles,” arrived here in early January to conduct Police Transition Training, which consists of training, guidance and mentorship to their Iraqi equivalents.
In addition to the PTT mission throughout the Diyala province, the 66th MPs took ownership of the “on the FOB training” mission from the 287th MP Company.
"We hit the ground with our boots running," said Capt. Ranjini T. Danaraj, 66th MP Company commander. "Sixty-sixth Soldiers were training IP from the province before our TOA (transfer of authority) ceremony."
Second platoon, 2nd squad was tasked with operating the training. "In the month of February, with the assistance of International Police Advisers, we changed the training from crime scene investigations to election security," said 1st Lt. Rachel Morgan, 66th MP Co., 2nd platoon leader.
"The first of the five days of training starts off with an overview of what will be covered during the entire five days," said Sgt. 1st Class John Meuret, 66th MP Co., FOB training director. "During that day, the instruction includes policing in a democracy and human rights classes.
"The IP here are very motivated and willing to learn," Meuret continued. "When they come here in the morning they are ready to start; it's probably because their sergeant major accompanies the Policemen all through the five days of instructions."
"Not only do the training classes have internal Iraqi command and control, the sergeant major marches his Policemen to and from the dining facility for lunch," said Sgt. David Patterson, 66th election security class non-commissioned officer in charge. "We [are] all eating lunch together, which is a good time for the instructors to establish a rapport with the IP and their sergeant major."
The second day of instruction consisted of the different types of searches that will be conducted at the polling sites, along with the responsibilities of each officer at the different search stations.
"Personal searches, hand wanding with metal detectors and the importance of each of the different search stations," said Patterson. "And how it is very critical to watch and control the individual’s search stations."
The third day of training is a consolidation of the individual skills that were learned in the previous two days.
"Here we put everything together,” said Patterson. "The training always starts off with a walk through, or at half speed, and then we move up to full speed. Once the full speed is achieved, scenarios are added and changed up."
The fourth day is the testing day.
"All stations of the polling place are observed and tested,” Patterson said. “From the individual search stations to the command and control of the whole polling site, [they] are graded and evaluated.
"Once the IP achieve the standard, the IPA, MP trainers, and Iraqi Police conduct an AAR (after action report)," he continued. "That's where the instructors and IPA give and take opinions from the IP on how effective the course was, and to provide feedback on how to improve the course for future classes."
The final day is graduation day for the class. Lt. Col. Aaron Metz, 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, chief, Provincial Police Transition Team, addressed the class of IP saying, "What you have done here is set the foundation for a safe and fair election. We have shared a lot of concepts with you, and a lot of techniques that you can take back to the force, but I ask that your instruction doesn't stop here.
"I need you to take back what you learned here to your district headquarters, your local police stations where you work,” he continued. “I need you to share what you have learned with your fellow officers and policemen in the force."
"This is the Iraqi's election; we are going to be as hands off as possible,” said Maj. Scott Harbison, 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, provost marshal. “The IP will run their election, secure their polling sites, count their own ballots and ultimately [be] electing their own leadership."
Once the Iraqi parliamentary election is held March 7, the 66th will once again return to teaching advanced criminal investigation techniques.
http://www.usf-iraq.com/news/headlines/military-police-prep-iraqis-for-election-security
FOB WARHORSE - To better protect the Iraqi people and ensure a smooth election process here, U.S. Soldiers with the 66th Military Police Company recently completed instructing a five-day election security course for 36 local Iraqi Policemen who are responsible for the task.
Military Police prep Iraqis for election security
Sgt. David Patterson, 66th MP Company, election security class non-commissioned officer in charge, lectures during a five-day course of instruction for Iraqi Police on FOB Warhorse, Feb. 3, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kenneth Bince.
The Fort Lewis, Wash., based MP company, nicknamed “War Eagles,” arrived here in early January to conduct Police Transition Training, which consists of training, guidance and mentorship to their Iraqi equivalents.
In addition to the PTT mission throughout the Diyala province, the 66th MPs took ownership of the “on the FOB training” mission from the 287th MP Company.
"We hit the ground with our boots running," said Capt. Ranjini T. Danaraj, 66th MP Company commander. "Sixty-sixth Soldiers were training IP from the province before our TOA (transfer of authority) ceremony."
Second platoon, 2nd squad was tasked with operating the training. "In the month of February, with the assistance of International Police Advisers, we changed the training from crime scene investigations to election security," said 1st Lt. Rachel Morgan, 66th MP Co., 2nd platoon leader.
"The first of the five days of training starts off with an overview of what will be covered during the entire five days," said Sgt. 1st Class John Meuret, 66th MP Co., FOB training director. "During that day, the instruction includes policing in a democracy and human rights classes.
"The IP here are very motivated and willing to learn," Meuret continued. "When they come here in the morning they are ready to start; it's probably because their sergeant major accompanies the Policemen all through the five days of instructions."
"Not only do the training classes have internal Iraqi command and control, the sergeant major marches his Policemen to and from the dining facility for lunch," said Sgt. David Patterson, 66th election security class non-commissioned officer in charge. "We [are] all eating lunch together, which is a good time for the instructors to establish a rapport with the IP and their sergeant major."
The second day of instruction consisted of the different types of searches that will be conducted at the polling sites, along with the responsibilities of each officer at the different search stations.
"Personal searches, hand wanding with metal detectors and the importance of each of the different search stations," said Patterson. "And how it is very critical to watch and control the individual’s search stations."
The third day of training is a consolidation of the individual skills that were learned in the previous two days.
"Here we put everything together,” said Patterson. "The training always starts off with a walk through, or at half speed, and then we move up to full speed. Once the full speed is achieved, scenarios are added and changed up."
The fourth day is the testing day.
"All stations of the polling place are observed and tested,” Patterson said. “From the individual search stations to the command and control of the whole polling site, [they] are graded and evaluated.
"Once the IP achieve the standard, the IPA, MP trainers, and Iraqi Police conduct an AAR (after action report)," he continued. "That's where the instructors and IPA give and take opinions from the IP on how effective the course was, and to provide feedback on how to improve the course for future classes."
The final day is graduation day for the class. Lt. Col. Aaron Metz, 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, chief, Provincial Police Transition Team, addressed the class of IP saying, "What you have done here is set the foundation for a safe and fair election. We have shared a lot of concepts with you, and a lot of techniques that you can take back to the force, but I ask that your instruction doesn't stop here.
"I need you to take back what you learned here to your district headquarters, your local police stations where you work,” he continued. “I need you to share what you have learned with your fellow officers and policemen in the force."
"This is the Iraqi's election; we are going to be as hands off as possible,” said Maj. Scott Harbison, 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, provost marshal. “The IP will run their election, secure their polling sites, count their own ballots and ultimately [be] electing their own leadership."
Once the Iraqi parliamentary election is held March 7, the 66th will once again return to teaching advanced criminal investigation techniques.
http://www.usf-iraq.com/news/headlines/military-police-prep-iraqis-for-election-security