By Norris Jones
Gulf Region Central District, 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.
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.
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.
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 Police Academy has definitely been a top priority,” Holtrop said. “It’s a very exciting time as the cadets move into the new structures.”
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
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