BAGHDAD - In 2006, an insurgent's bomb destroyed the Tarmiyah Iraqi Police Station, leaving a burning pile of rubble. Today, the station has literally risen from the ashes and is a new source of pride and an improvement for security in this town near Taji, north of Baghdad.
The Soldiers of the 591st Military Police Company, 93rd Military Police Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade are helping the IP prepare for the grand re-opening of a new, modern building, funded by Coalition forces.
First Lt. Brenda Beegle, a platoon leader with the 591st MP Co., 93rd MP Bn., 8th MP Bde., met with the Tarmiyah IP commander, Col. Tawfiq Ahmad Hamid, here, July 3, to help plan the station's opening and to check on security two days after the security agreement took effect.
"We are here to find out when the grand opening of this station is and to check on the red alert they received," said Beegle, a native of San Mateo, Calif.
After an insurgent's vehicle-borne improvised explosive device left the old station in ruins, local council members arranged for the IP to use a small house. The house was cramped and made carrying out security operations difficult, according to Beegle.
"It greatly benefits them. Before, they couldn't do their job because they didn't have enough space," said Beegle. "This new station shows the public the IP are worth something."
The floors of the new station are shiny and the halls are filled with the aroma of fresh paint. The new Tarmiyah IP Station is not only a town showpiece, but has made police work much easier for the IP, according to Hamid.
"Imagine yourself with one rented room, and then you go into a big house with many rooms. Of course there is a difference," said Hamid.
But the new station, with its spacious rooms and high walls, does not alone make a good IP force, Beegle said.
"Even though the building is really great, we are still trying to get them to do patrols without us and to be proactive," Beegle said.
Standing inside a newly-constructed steel tower, Pfc. Samuel Castaneda, a native of El Paso, Texas, assigned to the 591st MP Co., 93rd MP Bn., 8th MP Bde., kept security watch with his M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon. From the tower, he said Soldiers still worked with IPs to provide security and train for security.
"If we see anything suspicious we let them [IPs] know, 'Hey you need to do something about that,'" Castaneda said. "We work with the IPs."
Beegle said she is working to involve the local Iraqi media and government officials from Baghdad in the Tarmiyah station's re-opening. The American MPs have supported the Iraqis throughout the construction of the new IP station, and will continue to support them in training, said Beegle.
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