For new recruits, a new home

By Norris Jones
Gulf Region Central District , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Iraqi Police recruits participate in a graduation ceremony near Baghdad . Department of Defense photo by Norris Jones, Gulf Region Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

BAGHDAD — Hundreds of cadets broke into celebration after graduating from Baghdad Police Academy ’s 10-week basic course this summer. In all, 444 Police cadets successfully completed a program that included training in human rights, firearms, tactics and democracy.

With the focus on training come updated facilities. Soldiers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, GRD, continue to work on improvements to and expansion of the Baghdad Police Academy structure.

“ Baghdad Police Academy has definitely been a top priority,” Holtrop said. “It’s a very exciting time as the cadets move into the new structures.”

Lt. Col. Joel Holtrop, with the Gulf Region Division’s Project and Contracting Office, noted that U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad designated 2006 as the year of the police.
CNN camerawoman Margaret Moth was among 57 news media attending the ceremony when 444 cadets graduated from the Baghdad Police Academy. Department of Defense photo by Norris Jones, Gulf Region Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The academy’s capacity has been significantly expanded with a $73 million investment. When finished, the facility will feature: seven new classrooms, eight cadet barracks, six new instructor barracks, a new dining facility, library, forensic laboratory, range control building, firing ranges, guard towers, motor pool, warehouse, armory, contractor shop and new site utilities - water, sewer and an internal power grid.

In all, the expanded campus now has the capacity to train 10,000 Police recruits per year.

U.S. Central Command
Public Affairs
1Lt. Anthony Deiss
Spc. Patrick Ziegler
Spc. Chris Erickson

Category: (Military) Press Release.