Samarra Police Beginning to Assert Themselves

By Sgt. Tony White

Despite a Coalition Force presence in the city of Samarra, there are very few, if any, missions performed without the assistance of the local Iraqi Police. Having received praise from numerous Soldiers in the area, the police officers are becoming more self-reliant as their own presence grows.

"Before we came, there was no IP presence. There was no one patrolling the city," said Col. Jalil al Dalemi, Samarra chief of police. "The police officers who were here didn't have anyone pushing them. There was no incentive for them. In the past the IP didn't care about what could happen, but now they are realizing just that. The officers are working harder now and they are pushing their officers harder.

"Now we are showing these people all the time, joined with the Coalition Forces that we can be successful inside and out of Samarra," he continued. "The people now are feeling comfortable with the IP here to fight against the criminals and terrorists."

Taking part in regular patrols and air assaults with Soldiers of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the police officers often find themselves fighting insurgents in and around the city. Still, it is just as important to them that they have a positive impact with the local population.

"Our major mission here is to (defeat) the terrorists," Jalil said. "But we cannot forget the things that we have to do for the people.

"Samarra can be like the jungle," he continued. "The stronger will take what they want from the weak, but it is our job to stop it. We must use the laws to protect the weaker - the people. My guys will do the right things and will not be afraid to do it. With each day we are here doing our job, the more the people will understand our purpose and rely on us."

Many of the Samarra police officers have similar experiences working in law enforcement agencies and the old Iraqi army, which Jalil insists is necessary for success in the city.

"It's not a new job for us," Jalil said. "Many of us were officers in the army during Saddam's regime. It is harder to be a police officer if there isn't that experience that often times is necessary to do the job."

Even with all of their past experiences, Jalil feels that his police officers are still improving.

"We are learning from the U.S. Army and their experiences working against terrorists and their crimes," he said. "We are learning from them in addition to what we already have learned. Even with all of that, it's not what we wish here. I am sure in the future we will have better than what we have now. We are getting better but in small steps."

While Coalition Forces have helped the police officers to grow, the establishment of an emergency response battalion several months ago provided the Samarra police with an Iraqi counterpart.

"The emergency battalion is the right-hand of the IP here," Jalil said. "They are the most important resource that we have in Samarra. For two months they couldn't do a mission without the support of Coalition Forces. Now they have started with our own missions."

With each step forward the Iraqi people have begin to answer some of the cries from the American public.

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