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| Iraq |
| Iraqi Police Stay on Job Despite Attacks |
| 2003-10-30 |
| Their badges and blue uniforms have made Iraqi policemen walking targets in recent attacks aimed at the U.S.-led coalition and those who work with them. But many of the policemen say the attacks have only reinforced their resolve to stay on the job. "I am not afraid of these people. This is our country. If we don’t defend it, who will?" Sgt. Akeel Muteb said as he was pinned with the Iraqi equivalent of a Purple Heart. Muteb, who has a white bandage over his left eye and shrapnel lodged in his back, survived an Oct. 9 suicide car bombing on a police station in Sadr City, a Shiite neighborhood, that killed three officers and five other civilians. "Even if it’s dangerous, I will keep doing my job. It’s my duty to serve the country," Muteb said. Currently, the Iraqi police force consists of about 40,000 on active duty with another 10,000 undergoing training, said coalition spokesman Charles Heatly. Another 35,000 will be trained next year in Jordan. Most had served under ousted leader Saddam Hussein’s regime. After the old organization was disbanded in May, coalition authorities asked them to rejoin the new force except for senior personnel, who were kept out because of close ties with Saddam’s Baath Party. Muteb, a 16-year police force veteran, returned to work under the new regime. "Things are much better now," he said. "We have freedom to do our job properly. We have good salaries. We have the respect of the people." But their task of restoring order in postwar Iraq has been made difficult by a wave of violence aimed at police forces working with Americans. On Monday, three police stations throughout the city, along with the Red Cross headquarters, were targeted in coordinated attacks. The 45-minute killing spree left three dozen people dead, including eight officers. More than 220 people were wounded, including 65 policemen, making it the bloodiest day in Iraq since major combat was declared over on May 1 by President Bush. A fourth attack on a police station was thwarted when police officers stopped a driver from detonating his explosives-laden car. Shouting "Death to the Iraqi police, you’re collaborators," he was subdued and arrested. That would be the Yemeni with the Syrian passport. Muteb received his decoration at a Tuesday ceremony organized by the 1st Armored Division to boost the "esprit de corps" among the battered police force. The division has military control over Baghdad. Brig. Gen. Martin Dempsey pinned on the Iraqi equivalents of the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, and told officers they had "proven they won’t be intimidated by cowards who fear change." A total of 124 policemen were honored for acts of valor and sacrifice between April and mid-October. The families of 21 officers killed in action were on hand to accept their sons’ medals. Officers wounded in action received a one-time cash award of $100 each, while widows of those killed got their husbands’ salaries for the rest of their lives. Excellent, this will help their morale. "Your courage puts forward a message to terrorists," police Brig. Ahmed Ibrahim Kadhum, deputy interior minister, said. "Not only are we stronger than before, but we’re stronger than what they can throw at us." Solemnly marching across the stage, Qadhi Ali Hassan was composed but broke down as the red medal was pinned on his chest in memory of his 29-year-old son Haider, killed in the car bombing in Sadr City. "I feel very very sad about his death, but he wanted our country to be safe," he said. "He wanted to do his duty." Another story you won’t see on the major TV networks. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #7 Damned brave fellows. |
| Posted by: Raptor 2003-10-30 4:58:24 PM |
| #6 These Iraqi police officers have more balls than UN bureaucrats. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2003-10-30 3:02:57 PM |
| #5 They certainly seem to be doing this right. This is bound to be Former NY Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik's doing - and legacy: a solid Iraqi police force backed up with intelligent practical policies. Kudos, Bernie! |
| Posted by: .com 2003-10-30 1:50:35 PM |
| #4 The job the police are doing doesn't go unnoticed by the Iraqi civilians, either. See Zayad's comments in HealingIraq a few days ago. |
| Posted by: Mercutio 2003-10-30 1:13:46 PM |
| #3 They're are some really brave souls walking the streets of Baghdad. It is a fallacy to believe that the Iraqi people aren't willing to pay the price for freedom. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2003-10-30 11:40:29 AM |
| #2 Of course you wont see it on the networks. After all that might take time from 'Bachelor' or 'Charmed'! Can't have that.... I like the idea of the widow receiving their husband's salaries for the rest of their lives. We should have something like that here. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2003-10-30 9:38:42 AM |
| #1 widows of those killed got their husbands’ salaries for the rest of their lives. Yes! Someone had a clue. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2003-10-30 9:37:56 AM |