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NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

May 18, 2003
Release Number: 03-05-62

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COALITION AND IRAQI POLICE WORK TO MAKE IRAQ SECURE (MAY 18, 2003)

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait -- Coalition Forces continue to aggressively patrol to make Iraq safer for all Iraqis by eliminating smuggling and trade in weapons and explosives. Coalition Forces also continue to conduct joint security patrols with Iraqi police in efforts to increase the professionalism of the police force and prepare them for their role in a self-governed Iraq.

Coalition Activity:

A patrol from Third Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment engaged several Iraqis in a truck, who fired at an Iraqi police station in An Numaniya early this morning. They chased it into a neighborhood and were able to track the suspects to a house. They captured two wounded Iraqis, who were then transported to the local hospital. A woman and a third man are being questioned.

A joint patrol consisting of 143d Military Police Company soldiers and Iraqi police observed three Iraqis attempting a robbery in Baghdad on Friday. Iraqi police apprehended one of the robbers, while the other two fled the scene on foot.

The 527th Military Police Company received a complaint of a drunk and disorderly person shooting in Baghdad on Friday. The individual was taken into custody by civilians on the scene and released to the Iraqi Police Force (IPF). The IPF confiscated the weapon and the offender transported to the AL Kazamiyah police station.

The 143rd Military Police Company responded to an attempted robbery and auto theft on Thursday in Baghdad. Two Iraqis attempted to force an Iraqi citizen from his car at gunpoint and tried to run away when the military policemen arrived on the scene. They caught one suspect and turned him over to Iraqi police. The second suspect got away. Iraqi police are investigating.

Iraqi police trainees in As Samawah completed a two-day training program yesterday.

During the last 24 hours, 3d Infantry Division soldiers conducted 95 vehicle searches at traffic control points in Baghdad and confiscated 27 weapons.

The 18th Military Police Brigade units returned eight police stations back into service. Assessments of personnel and facilities at 43 Iraqi Police Force stations began yesterday. Eighty-nine percent of the Baghdad police force returned to work to date.

The Iraqi police force in As Samawah successfully replaced the local militia in the city. The militia will now operate outside the city. Their first key task is to prevent criminal gangs from tapping into the oil pipeline 40 kilometers northeast of the city.

Judges in Ad Diwaniyah now operate 24 hours a day in conjunction with the police.

Governance Support Team representatives from 1st Battalion, 4th Marines and the local police chief in Al Hillah met with local judges recently to discuss the rights and proper treatment of prisoners while in police custody. They will also discuss the development of a process to ensure the proper treatment of prisoners while they are in the criminal justice system. The Marines presented awards to nine police officers at a police substation for bravery in apprehending two wanted men. The event was filmed for the local television station.

Police Activity in the Last 24 Hours:

Throughout Iraq, Coalition Forces conducted 33 raids and 1,599 patrols. Of the patrols, 192 were conducted jointly with Iraqi Police. The following are highlights of the patrolling effort:

Baghdad: Coalition Forces conducted one raid and 444 patrols. Nineteen of the patrols were conducted jointly with Iraqi police. These patrols made 431 arrests for various crimes, including looting, curfew violations, weapons violations, theft and robbery. They also seized 38 rifles and four pistols.

Kirkuk: Coalition Forces conducted 84 patrols, nine of which were conducted jointly with Iraqi police. They arrested 21 Iraqis for weapons possession, establishing illegal checkpoints, assault, looting and disorderly conduct. The patrols also seized 20 AK-47 rifles, three pistols and a knife.

Tikrit: Coalition Forces conducted 14 patrols, three of which were conducted jointly with Iraqi police. The patrols seized two 60mm mortars, several rounds of mortar ammunition and two AK-47 rifles. They arrested four suspects for weapons smuggling and illicit arms sales.

Ar Ramadi: Coalition Forces conducted one raid and one patrol. They seized two rifles, a pistol and a bayonet. They also arrested four individuals with Ba'ath Party affiliations.

Al Amarah: Coalition Forces conducted one raid and 21 patrols. Six of the patrols were conducted jointly with Iraqi police. One rocket-propelled grenade launcher and a truck were seized.

Baqubah: Coalition Forces conducted 86 patrols, resulting in 10 arrests for weapons possession, and confiscated 39 AK-47 rifles, as well as seven heavy machine guns.

Al Basrah: Coalition Forces conducted 29 raids and 106 patrols. Twenty-five of the patrols were conducted jointly with Iraqi police. They seized seven AK-47 rifles, a bayonet and about 2,000 rounds of rifle ammunition. Four Iraqis were arrested for crimes including theft, smuggling and making threats to life.