Iraq, progress

Iraqi Police Recruits Graduate Scorpion Academy

By Mark Wojciechowski

Friday, September 8, 2006

MUQDADIYAH, Iraq The Scorpion Training Academy at Forward Operation Base Normandy continues to add quality Iraqi Police officers to Diyala Province.

This two-week course culminated with a graduation ceremony for 27 Iraqi Police officers at this old Iraqi Army training facility. The academy is sending more capable protectors of the Iraqi people back to their police stations throughout Diyala Province.

The main objectives here are to provide advanced training to Iraqi Police officers so they may protect and serve the people of Iraq and build a security force capable of helping to stabilize a nation.

Joe Morabito, a contracted International Police Liaison Officer, helps to mentor and advise the Iraqi Police recruits. "We basically conduct a two-week course on room entries, search and seizure, felony stops, felony apprehensions and stairway approaches," said Morabito, who hails from Haynes Falls, N.Y.

"The recruits are sent from their precincts from all around Diyala Province to receive this as advanced training," said Morabito.

There is also a team of dedicated Iraqi Police officers who run the course with guidance from the IPLOs and one coalition U.S. Army noncommissioned officer.

Their position in the training the Iraqi Police is to over-watch and provide feedback to the instructors on any deficiencies they might see.

Sgt. 1st Class Richard Shopp, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, is the Scorpion AcademyíŸÙs coalition noncommissioned officer that works closely with the IPLOs and the Iraqi Police Instructors.

"I basically provide an outside look in, at how training is being conducted here," said Shopp who is from Middletown, N.J.

"They all have the dedication and the heart and I think in a couple years Iraq will be a safe place for everyone."

Police training academies such as this one located in Diyala Province, is another step toward making Iraq a safer place and building the security of a growing democratic nation.