Local citizens join police force in Lutifiyah

LUTIFIYAH – During a time when Iraq needs help the most, citizens are stepping forward and volunteering their services to help make the country a better place.
Iraqi Police from the surrounding areas of Lutifiyah, Iraq, held a recruiting drive here Sunday.
“Lutifiyah needs a local police force and this recruiting event was a good thing to see happen,” said U.S. Army Capt. Eric Daldom, assistant information operations officer with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
More than 100 recruits showed up to the event.
“It was a strong turnout,” Daldom said.
U.S. Soldiers from the 23rd Military Police Company currently attached to the 2nd BCT provided basic assistance for the recruitment.
“The event was strictly an Iraqi initiative,” said U.S. Army Capt. Michael Parsons, the 2nd BCT provost marshal. “We just assisted with general requirements.”
Soldiers and Iraqi Police screened recruits to make sure they met all the requirements before their applications were processed.
The applicants had to meet several requirements which consisted of, but not limited to, having a ninth-grade education, no past security problems, being an Iraqi citizen and being between the ages of 20 to 35.
Dalbom also explained a greater significance of the recruitment.
There are not as many Sunni police as Shia, but this event primarily consisted of Sunni volunteers who will help balance it out, he noted.
After the applicants were screened their applications were taken for further review by the Iraqi Police and U.S. Army military police.
“We will look at them and make sure the applicants do not have any criminal records and that they are Iraqi citizens,” Parsons said.
After the applications have been screened a list of those accepted will go to the Ministry of Interior. The accepted applicants will then undergo a final literacy and physical exam and then attend a two-month curriculum in a police academy.
“It is nice to see new Iraqi Police recruits,” Parsons said. “It shows there is a positive future for the Iraqi people.”