COB Basra, Iraq – After only two foot patrols, a noticeable difference is made in one district of Basra. Breaking down the barriers between the citizens of Iraq and Iraqi Police and U.S. Forces is a complicated task.
Staff Sgt. Barnett, 1st Squad Leader, 1st Platoon, 810th Military Police Company, believes the way to do this is through community policing.
Community policing is a new concept to Iraqi Police. For years, IPs were a reactive force. U.S. Forces are working with them to become more proactive. Community policing, sometimes called neighborhood policing, is a strategy based on interaction with the community to help reduce crime and therefore reduce fear. When community members have good relationships with police in the area they are more likely to identify suspects and bring problems in the area to the attention of the police.
It can be hard to fully understand the impact of community policing until you get out there and do it. That is just what the MPs wanted to do.
Soon after the squad established a rapport with the district Iraqi Police station commander in Basrah, Barnett requested the participation of IPs in the foot patrol. He explained how being out in the neighborhood face to face with the people together will help build the confidence of the IP. The station commander thought this was an excellent idea.
A foot patrol had not been conducted in the area for a long time. There was extensive planning done to coordinate all aspects of the patrol including equipment, logistics, personnel and assigned duties. Personnel were increased for security purposes and everyone was assigned specific areas of responsibility.
During the foot patrol, IP took the lead to initiate interaction with the locals as the MPs aided with security and logistics.
When the first foot patrol began, there were no children in sight. The neighborhood was extremely quiet. After a few stops, the neighborhood became alive with young ones. The children wanted to give high fives to the American Soldiers and were eager to see what surprise the Iraqi Police had for them. Their parents slowly made their way to the streets to see the joint patrol for themselves. By the end of the mission, Barnett and his squad concluded this effort had to be done again soon. They did not want to lose the momentum.
The squad visited the station a few more times before conducting a second foot patrol on Sept. 2. This time the adults were more open to speaking with the IP and meeting U.S. troops. While out on the streets the squad explained they were here to train and advise Iraqi Security Forces. They discussed the goal of ISF protecting the people and continuing to stabilize the country as U.S. troops withdraw.
The patrol distributed school supplies, art supplies, soccer balls and candy donated by friends and family of the soldiers in 1st Platoon. Staff Sgt. Chandler, team leader, 1st Squad, said the support from home has been overwhelming.
This squad plans to continue to take a community policing approach at their assigned IP station as they have seen a positive reception since they have begun visiting the station. They understand the full importance of continuing to build trust between the Iraqi people, Iraqi Police and U.S forces.
