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Nearly 1,000 Iraqi Police graduate from training course

Spc. Ben Brody

2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO

CAMP SHIELD , Iraq – Distinguished police and military leaders turned out to watch 931 new Iraqi Police officers graduate from their training course at Baghdad Police College on Camp Shield July 21.

The graduating IPs stood in formation as their senior leaders praised the hard work and dedication the students demonstrated during their training.

The eight-week course covers the basics of policing, including communications, patrols, domestic violence, lawful use of force, stress management and ethics. It also includes instruction in learning English.

The IP band played as the entire group marched past the reviewing stands, showing off both their new uniforms and status as IP officers.

The new officers will each be assigned to one of many stations all over Iraq , and be issued a weapon and given further training.

Honor graduate Reyad Abed said he joined the Iraqi Police to serve his country and protect his people.

“It's important for the future of Iraq that we help the country become stable,” Reyad said. “We are here to serve our citizens and keep them safe.”

Baghdad Police College was formerly a three-year academy which produced commissioned officers. The facility is adapting to its new role – training 1,000 new IPs every month.

A tour of BPC reveals numerous construction projects, IPs practicing battle drills on grassy fields, and studious young men in classrooms.

“My favorite part of the training was learning defensive tactics, and shooting at the range,” Reyad said. “We're well prepared to fight the terrorists because we have good training and strong spirits.”

The class included 29 female IP officers, and Reyad said he enjoyed working with them. “The female officers are like our sisters,” he said. “We treat each other with every respect.”

The new class will be able to support IPs all over the country.

“You are now trained and prepared to help you brother and sister IPs as we fight the terrorist threat,” said Brig. Gen. Osama Badri, the dean of the college and keynote speaker. The priority is to fighting corruption, protecting human rights, reinforcing law and order in the society and focusing on securing the safety and stability of Iraq , he said.

“I applaud your self-sacrificing spirit,” he said.

During a silent moment in the ceremony, the low thud of a controlled detonation destroying captured terrorist munitions and equipment sounded in the distance reminded everyone of the dangers IPs face every day in Iraq .

“I know the work is dangerous, but it is my duty to keep my country safe, no matter what,” Reyad said. “Any IP will tell you the same thing.”

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