Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base
APO AE 09348

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release No. 080721-01
July 21, 2008
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DSN:  318-852-1332
IRAQNA:  0790-194-0270

Baghdad Police College graduates largest ever class of 1,698 new police officers  (Baghdad)

Baghdad – 1,698 officers, the largest class ever, graduated from the Ministry of Interior’s Baghdad Police College here Sunday and took the loyalty oath to uphold the rule of law and protect the citizens of Iraq.

The new course is known as the 1st Qualification Course.  Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki spoke of this initiative during Basrah operations as a means to promote both reconciliation and new jobs for former government employees and other recruits who met the qualifications.   To become lieutenants in the police force, the graduates must complete the retraining and certification in the four-month course.   Most were college graduates.

Due to their prior work experience, the average age of the graduates was higher than that for most police courses and ranged from 21 to 57.   Forty-four percent of the graduates were from the southern provinces of Basrah and Maysan.

The graduates will be assigned throughout the Ministry of Interior in security and administrative positions in the Iraqi Police, National Police, Border Police and Traffic Police.

“You will share with your police brothers the challenges to defeat terrorists and continue to reduce crimes in every province in Iraq,” Minister of Interior Jawad al-Bulani told the large group of graduates.  “Your work will give the citizens hope and security in a free and democratic Iraq.”
                                                                 
Bulani noted that the Ministry of Interior employees by “their great sacrifices have brought peace to many areas such as Samarra, Kut, Basrah, and Amara.  The people are feeling and appreciating this new security.   Many have made sacrifices to realize our dream for a peaceful and democratic Iraq.”

He also told the graduates by “your professionalism and loyalty, you will increase the Iraqi people’s confidence in the Ministry of Interior forces.”

“Keep your loyalty to your country and carry out your responsibilities with honor, you will keep Iraq free and keep liberty for the people.  Your duty always is to defend Iraq and the people of Iraq.”

After a long round of applause, Bulani left the speaker’s stand and was surrounded by graduates trying to reach forward to shake his hand and take pictures of him.

Iraqi Maj. Gen. Dr. Jassim Tahir, a dean at Baghdad Police College, told the graduates, “As new leaders, you will support our police forces as qualified professionals.  Congratulations, my sons.  Go forth with what you have learned here and do your best to serve your country.”

The four-month course included instruction in English, the new Penal Law, police operations, criminal investigations, administrative duties, forensics, human rights and anti-terrorism.

A student leader who was asked to speak on behalf of the graduates said, “We are more experienced.  We bring experience in security and administration. We love Iraq and we want to play our part in rebuilding Iraq.”

At the end of the graduation, beaming students hugged and congratulated one another. 

Another graduate named Mohammed flashed a big smile and said “I am as happy as I was on my wedding day.”   Asked why he wanted to join the Iraqi Police, he said, “I have to serve my people and Iraq.  I want, all of us want, to bring peace and safety to the people.”

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