Written by Capt. Douglas R. Reeves Jr. and photos by Staff Sgt Tiffany Wynn, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C Thursday, September 15, 2011
BAGHDAD — A graduation ceremony for 74 Iraqi Policemen Aug. 21 marked the end of a fruitful two-year-long partnership between the IP and U.S. forces at the Iraqi Police Criminal Justice Center in Baghdad, during which more than 2,500 IP officers were trained in advanced policing skills.
Those trainees were then able to go back to their stations throughout Iraq’s capital city and share their knowledge with other officers.
New Iraqi Policemen, left, stand in formation with their trainers, center, as IP Capt. Abdullah, right at podium, dean of the academy at the Iraqi Police Criminal Justice Center praises them for their hard work and dedication to ensuring the safety of Iraqi citizens during a graduation ceremony Aug. 21, 2011 at Camp Liberty, Iraq. It was the final graduating class of a fruitful two-year-long partnership between the IP and U.S. forces at the CJC, during which more than 2,500 Iraqi police officers were trained in advanced policing skills. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt Tiffany Wynn, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div, USD-C)
The occasion of the final graduation was bittersweet, and IP Brig. Gen. Sabar Ateya Al-Saedy, deputy commander of the Baghdad Police, and IP Brig. Gen. Ayad Mohammed Kareem, the IP’s Baghdad training commander, spoke of the progress that was made during the partnership and their hopes to continue the training center’s success at a new location.
Located on Victory Base Complex, the CJC began its first class in July 2009 in partnership with 94th Military Police Company, an Army Reserve unit from New Hampshire. Classes originally consisted of just 12 students. Then, in January 2010, the Furat Iraqi Police Academy transferred its classes and instructors to the CJC. Soon thereafter, the CJC caught the attention of Kareem, who was charged with oversight of all the police training in Iraq. He added human rights and counter-insurgency classes, and since then a working-dog course has begun.
Eventually, by the time U.S. forces transitioned into an advise and assist role, the average two-week rotational class had increased to 90 students. CJC classes are now all Iraqi-instructed and follow Interior Ministry-approved curriculum. Students hail from throughout Iraq and various policing groups—the Iraqi Police, Federal Police and Traffic Police.
Starting in April 2011, the 212th MP Company took over responsibility for the CJC from the 94th MP Company. Soldiers with the 212th searched students prior to their entrance to the center and facilitated training by ensuring instructors had the materials needed, while also maintaining security on the CJC compound. With the Aug. 21 graduation, their task is now complete.
“I appreciate the effort that the U.S. forces [have] put into helping this academy,” said Capt. Abdullah, the dean of the academy at CJC, “and I feel confident in its capabilities to continue to increase the knowledge of the Iraqi Police force for many years to come.”
With their drawdown looming, U.S. forces no longer support the CJC. However, with all of the training and time spent with the CJC instructors, the center is prepared to continue its academy at the next location.
(c) USF-I
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