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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release No. 091115-01
Nov. 15, 2009
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DSN:  318-852-8742
Maj. Bob Owen

Rigorous Curriculum Challenges Baghdad Police College Students

BAGHDAD – The Baghdad Police College demonstrated its course of instruction to visiting dignitaries here recently.

After raising the Iraqi national flag over the BPC headquarters, the students assembled in nearby bleachers for instruction on how to protect dignitaries, an essential skill for many who will go on to work in dignitary protection jobs after graduation.  The students also work very hard practicing martial arts, handling weapons and building unit discipline through extensive drill and ceremony exercises.

The dean of the BPC, Maj. Gen. Riyadh Abdul Baqi Salman, came to the BPC as a student in 1981. “The training was tough, we ran everywhere we went,” he said. “Today as a direct result of our human rights training and our democratic ideals, we treat our students with respect and dignity, while keeping the training tough.” 

“It’s all about trust and confidence,” said U.S. Army Col. Randy Twitchell, director of the ITAM-Police BPC-Training Team. “Although the Iraqis have a very solid program here, if we make a suggestion on training issues, it’s that trust and respect that we have with our Iraqi counterparts that will determine how successful we are in getting those ideas implemented.”

Class leader Hayder Abass said that the best part of the police training for him was the sports and exercise. He said he enjoys keeping physically fit and as class leader promotes fitness for all his fellow students. “I would like to stay and teach at the BPC when I graduate here,” he said.  Many students expressed this same wish.

Iraqi Police Col. Sabah is one of a group of MoI personnel travelling to the United States with Twitchell to see how U.S. police forces and military police forces operate. 

“I am looking forward to going to America and learning more skills that I can bring back here and implement into our curriculum,” Sabah said. 

Instructors and cadets of the Baghdad Police College face a challenging future, Sabah added. First they must overcome the challenge of the rigorous training, learn it, absorb it, and live it. Then after graduation, they will be out on the streets of Iraq, protecting its citizens and working towards that peace and stability that is desperately needed for Iraq to succeed. “Students are demonstrating that they take their responsibility seriously,” he said. 

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