Iraqi Police Take Charge Of Former Mountain Division Patrol Area
The security of the Kirkuk area has been maintained for quite some time by the 10th Mountain Division, 1st Brigade. As the situation overall is quieting down, the Brigade is slowly making arrangements to hand over security operations to the Iraqi Police. This is seen as a positive step, but is something that will be new and different and take some getting used to.
The Police are working to tour the Kirkuk region side by side with Coalition soldiers to identify areas where security is the most needed. The region of Kirkuk was handed over to the Iraqi Army and Iraqi police, at numerous checkpoints around the city.
“The hand over to the Iraqi Police demonstrated Iraq is working under the Rule of Law,†said Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Brown.
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There was a hand over ceremony at the Irbil traffic point of control north of the Kirkuk region and it was the last checkpoint to complete the entire transition which took place slowly over four weeks. The Iraqi 15th Army Brigade worked with the Coalition to assist the hand off to Iraqi Police control.
The Iraqi Police are taking their new duties very seriously, and so far things are progressing very well. “It’s a matter of duty and they are doing very well,†said Colonel Brown.
The Iraqi police have been professionally trained and are looking forward to the security detail.
