Iraqi National Police Strive to Serve, Protect Baghdad’s Residents
Tuesday, 25 November 2008 By Capt. Brett Walker
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON — The Iraqi National Police, dedicated to enforcing Baghdad’s rule of law, introduced civil capacity and municipality improvement to their skills set working with the support of Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers.
As the situation in the Rashid District continues to progress towards tolerance and tranquility, the role of his national police element should adjust accordingly, said Col. Kadhem Jabar Kadhem, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Brigade, 2nd National Police Div., based in southern Baghdad.
A Civil Affairs Team from Company D, 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, attached to the 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, sponsored the Iraqi team, consisting of a lieutenant and two privates from the 2nd Bn., 7th Iraqi NP Bde.
Capt. Chris Carbone and Sgt. 1st Class Aleksandr Restrepo, head of the Civil Affairs Team assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., lead the program in Baghdad’s Doura community.
Carbone, a U.S. Army Reservist, who is also a police officer from Wayne, N.J., has served two previous tours in Iraq as an infantry officer. He recently completed training and gained practical experience as a civil affairs officer during his current deployment.
“There is more to being a cop than arresting people,” Carbone told the freshly formed Iraqi NP CA Team during a partnered patrol Nov. 20. “You have to work towards the betterment of your community.”
The Iraqis nodded their heads, excited to put to use the skills they recently acquired during the two-day lecture series on providing assistance to infrastructure repair and municipality support.
Carbone had arranged an audience with Hashem Mahmood, the deputy chairman of the Rashid District Council, and Neighborhood Council representatives from across the Rashid District.
Carbone explained to the Iraqi politicians that this NP CA Team did not constitute a stand-alone element. They are intended to be facilitators and enablers of the existing municipal agencies.
“They are here to work with you and assist you,” Carbone said, in talking to the district and neighborhood leaders.
The Rashid District Council deputy chairman said that he understood the intent and liked the idea.
“The Neighborhood Council and the national police are like brothers, and these men will be like a tool for cooperation between them,” Hashem summarized.
The Neighborhood Council representatives agreed.
“In this area, work can never be successful without help from the National Police,” said Kyse Abbas Hamad, one of the NC representatives. “I am happy to help the national police with anything they need. I will be available to support them at all times.”
Carbone and Restrepo also consulted Hayder Yassen Sahi, the Rashid District Infrastructure manager, on the program.
“I think it is a good idea,” Hayder responded. “I already have a cooperative relationship with the national police, and they are doing a good job assisting me in collecting taxes.”
For their first assignment, the NP CA Team evaluated the classrooms and bathrooms of a local elementary school to assess the institution’s condition. The veteran U.S. Civil Affairs Soldiers pointed out important details that would require attention, such as deteriorating stairs and improper placement of water faucets.
They also explained how certain things, such as new chalk boards, could be attained relatively easily through the Iraq Ministry of Education. The NP CA Team also called attention to additional issues that could be quickly adjudicated.
“The program is a reflection of the growth process of this country,” said Restrepo, who hails from Brooklyn, N.Y. “These national policemen are doing something for their community, which has to begin at the root level. It is great to see the security forces of Iraq develop the future of their country.”