Police Trainers Facilitate Iraqi Equipment Exchange Effort

American Forces Press Service

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Oct. 12, 2004 – A shipment of standard-issue police gear was distributed in the past week to Iraqi Police Service officers in Irbil.

The shipment is part of a newly founded police gear exchange program initiated by Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq police advisors who are helping the Iraqi government to train, mentor, and equip its police forces.

The program – still in the early establishment stages – delivered riot helmets, ballistic vests, batons, flex cuffs, protective masks, various office supplies, an evidence kit and duty belts complete with various keepers, holsters, clips and pouches.

The equipment was donated by the Los Angeles School Police Department as part of an exchange program intended to link police stations in America with sister stations in Iraq, officials said.

Originated by Maj. Daniel E. Fricke, an Army reservist from the department called up for duty in Iraq and currently serving with the Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq's Civilian Police Assistance Training Team, the program is in the process of expanding and ultimately is intended to include stations throughout the United States. Fricke, the regional police academy liaison officer for the training team here, hopes to build the exchange into a bigger program, both in his role in Iraq and after returning to America.

Fricke said he would like eventually to include more than just equipment support. "What I am trying to accomplish," Fricke said, "is to develop a program for police departments back home to provide equipment, exchange investigative techniques … and hopefully in the future (a regular) exchange program."

Los Angeles School Police Department officers collected the gear on their own in addition to paying all shipping costs. Another shipment from the department is being compiled and should include investigative equipment print kits, tape, print dust, and cameras.

Fricke indicated that two additional police departments in the United States have committed to similar donations. The program is not an official Civilian Police Assistance Training Team initiative at this point, he said.

(Courtesy of Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq.)

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