Kurdish Zerevani Policemen Train with Federal Police


Camp Dublin, Baghdad—Italian Carbinieri Officer supervises Kurdish Zerevani and Arab Iraqi Federal police improving their skills at the range (Photo by WO Maurizio Sarasino, NTM-I.) 17th Jan 10

Baghdad, 17th Jan 2010 – Kurdish police forces and their Iraqi Arab counterparts took another step toward integrating the security forces here as 40 Zerevani police began a joint training program in January at the Iraqi Special Training Police Academy.

This is only the second group of Kurdish Zerevani police ever to participate in the intensive nine-week course, which is supervised by the elite Italian Carbinieri for NATO Training Mission in Iraq (NTM-I). The first group of forty graduated Dec. 2009.

Carabinieri Col. Mauro Isidori, Commander NTM-I Gendarmerie Training Division said the the initiative was in line with the spirit and intent of the NATO mission. “We are very encouraged to see this program continue. It shows us the strength and committment of the Iraqi Security Forces for integration and unity.”

The intensive training program builds weapons and shooting skills, high speed arrest and control techniques and techniques to clear buildings of criminals and terrorists. The NTM-I Italian Carabinieri conduct advanced training, which includes operational planning, police intelligence, counter-insurgency skills, first aid and basic logistics. Also, throughout the course an emphasis is placed on the rule of law and respect for human rights.

The course is designed to identify and develop Iraqis who will become the trainers for others. This “Train the Trainer” approach aims to establish a self-sufficient non-sectarian training apparatus that will continue to replenish the Iraqi Federal Police.

More Photos from this Event

Article and photos by NATO Training Mission- Iraq Public Affairs Office.

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