Kirkuk IPs: Dangerous, Most Sought After Occupation

by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson

Conclusion: A binding brotherhood forms...

"Upon entering our academy...you are no longer Turkman, Arab, Christian, Kurd...you are an Iraqi," Col. Samir Murshed Khushid, commandant of the Kirkuk Police Academy and former Peshmerga soldier, said. He tells his recruits that they are here to serve their fellow citizen..."protect them: ethnicity does not matter."

That sentiment is built into the screening process. MoI standards are based on the ethnic make-up of a particular province. "The three major ethnic groups here are Arab, Kurd, and Turkman. MoI has set the following percentages for us to hire: Arab, 29 percent; Kurd, 40 percent; and Turkman, 29 percent," Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Aker of 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division's Provincial Police Training Team said. "Don't ask Samir what religion he or any one of his cadres or recruits are, he would be offended as, 'that is their personal choice,' he would say," Aker said.

A new mural is being painted on a wall at the Kirkuk Police Academy which depicts the current job environment of an Iraqi policeman through their eyes. "...they have to learn quickly, with less training and equipment, in a more hostile environment, compared to their U.S. counterpart," a U.S. academy instructor said. Translated, it reads, "My country, my country...I'll sacrifice my life to you. Kirkuk Police Department." (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD)

"Everyone in Kirkuk is working together to eliminate the terrorists here," Recruit Muhammad Abdul Abas, 22, an Arab said. "We; Arab, Kurd, Turkman, and Christian, are united in this belief and as a team, we work in peace to protect everyone in Kirkuk against those that want to separate us and try to make us fight each other," he said. The team Abas refers to is his brotherhood...one formed with all ethnic groups within each IP platoon. "We will work together to protect our citizens."

Following two hours of calisthenics which consists of marching, running, and various drills which are all geared toward team-building, the rest of the day is spent rotating from indoor to outdoor classroom instruction on law enforcement procedures ranging from democratic policing, human rights, hostage survival, basic first aid, to responding to an ambush, Aker said. "The courses cover most situations that an Iraqi policeman will face during a typical work-day here," Aker said. Hands-on demonstrations and instruction are also given throughout the day with realistic re-enactments of scenarios ranging from checkpoint security to procedures for the handling of IEDs. "The practical exercises are great," Aker said.

The Kirkuk Police Academy provides a means where a brotherhood can flourish amongst the Arab, Kurd, and Turkman ethnic groups that populate the province. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD)

He describes one simulation where an instructor dresses up like an extremist, shovel in hand, scarf wrapped around his head and face, acting suspicious. He digs a hole, places a simulated improvised explosive device in it, and flees as he hears the IPs coming, because a concerned citizen has notified them. The cadres then explain to the recruits the proper steps to initiate. "They act out the entire procedure with a question and answer period that follows," Aker said.

These practical exercises are based on real events, according to 1st Lt. Christopher C. Harris, a 1-10th Mountain Division PTT-P. "Most will deal with at least one of these practical exercises," Aker added.

"Most of these young Iraqi men are looking for a way to either help support their parents or support families of their own," Harris said. "They don't have alternative career paths to choose from."

"My father is a retired lieutenant colonel. He was an infantry officer in Saddam's army," 20-year-old Amer Ahmed said. His mother is Kurdish and father an Arab. "I don't have any skills. This is something I can do." For Ahmed, it is out of necessity. "I need to help support my family." There are six mouths he helps feed. "I also want to help make Kirkuk a safe place to live," he said.

Iraq Police recruits applaud their fellow recruits after a practical exercise conducted at the Kirkuk Police Academy. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, 115th MPAD)

Others join to be a part of the peace process or to stabilize their own neighborhoods. Whatever their reasons, a common bond is sown. Their 10-week training cultivates this bond, and their full-time employment as law enforcement in Kirkuk, allows it to flourish.

"Arab, Turkman, Kurd, Christian...it doesn't matter. We are all a team here at the Academy. We all want peace and freedom here in Kirkuk. We do this by working and living in harmony with one another," IP recruit Akran Osman, 27, a Turkman said.

"Next on the agenda for 300 of the more ambitious recruits: SWAT training. The Emergency Service Unit of the IP force will entail a rigorous selection process which will whittle 300 out of the 1,382 Iraqi strong class, based on performance, test scores, and instructor recommendations. And then the training cycle begins a new..."

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com

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