Published: April 13, 2006
Chicago Area Police Officer Continues Role in Iraq
By 2nd Lt. Anthony D. Buchanan, 133rd MPAD
DIYALA PROVINCE, Iraq - Thinking they'll be able to commit a crime in the cover of darkness, criminals in the Chicago area scour the city looking for the right place and right time to wreak havoc. Iraq is no different. The streets of LaGrange, Ill., and the streets of Iraq may vary to a large degree to some people, but not to one police officer serving in Iraq in support of Operation Iraq Freedom.
Senior Interrogator Miles Odom takes a moment out of his busy schedule to pose for a photo.
Photo by: 2nd Lt. Anthony D. Buchanan, 133rd MPAD |
Senior Interrogator Miles Odom, a Lagrange police officer in Cook County, Ill., works with U.S. forces, Iraqi forces and the citizens of Iraq to collect, distribute and confirm vital intelligence information.
"What I do here relates directly to what I do at home," said Odom. "Here I talk to people. When I'm home driving the beat, talking to someone I arrested or just trying to serve the citizens at home, that's what I do, I talk to people."
Odom is the supervisor of a Tactical Human Intelligence team. His team is an asset to battalion and brigade commanders, and can be used in a variety of roles. They can be sent to gather information about elections, murders, disasters or any event that affects a community.
"We go in prior to or after events that take place in cities to get a feel of what the populace thinks about the event," said Odom. "We collect essential information about potential threats to the Iraqi people, Iraqi forces or U. S. forces. We also tactically debrief Soldiers who may have seen something of intelligence value while out on a mission."
Odom's police officer background has helped him get through a tough 20-week military intelligence course in Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
"When I went to school to learn this particular job, I found that the skill set that I brought from being a police officer helped quite a bit," said Odom.
Receiving mail at Fort Huachuca was a big event for Odom while attending school and it's also a big event for him here. Along with doing his job, Odom also looks forward to opening anything he receives from the U.S.
"It's not like being at home where you get mail everyday and you sort of sift through some of the stuff and throw it to the side," said Odom. "Here, when you get a letter or box, you can't wait to tear into it even if you have to sit it to the side because you have to go out on a mission."
His friends and colleagues on the Lagrange Police force have played an integral role in helping "one of their own" get through his deployment.
"I would like to thank the Lagrange Police Department, the chief and all the employees I work with, for their continuous support," said Odom. "The e-mails … the care packages … nothing sent here goes unnoticed."
Anthony D Buchanan
xx
Search News
Daily News
