"He is very competent," Col. Peter Baker, commander of the U.S. Army's
214th Fires Brigade, said. "He has taken a large force and made immediate
and long-term improvements -- not an easy task for a unit of that size."
On April 26, Wasit police supported Iraq Army and coalition forces in an
operation in Al Kut, about 160 southeast of Baghdad. For the first time, the
police established a permanent presence in Al Kut's district of Zuwarijat.
"Overall, I know that taking ground, it was a huge step," Staff Sgt.
Erik Golden, a squad leader with the 511th MP Co., said.
The turning point for the Wasit province was the Shi'ite uprising in
March and April 2008. At the time, Al Amir dismissed 134 Iraqi officers from
IP Emergency Response Unit 4.
Officials said the officers were deemed as either maintaining contacts
with Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias or derelict in their duty. Several
commanders were also replaced.
"The flare-up in early March was an opportunity for [Hannin] to assess
the quality of his forces," Baker said. "It had a huge positive effect on
the force."
As a result, police in Wasit were regarded as more aggressive in dealing
with crime and insurgency activity. Training by the U.S. military also
yielded improved results and more willingness to cooperate with the U.S.
military.
"They seem more disciplined in training with us," Sgt. Melissa Overton,
a squad leader with the 511th MP Co., said. "They want to learn better
skills. Before [the firings], it was 'yes, but not today.' Now, it's 'how
many do you need, we'll go now.'"
