226 Applicants Attend Iraqi Police Recruiting Drive

An Iraqi policeman in Jisr Diyala helps a Soldier from the 59th Military Police Company, currently assigned to 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, take a retinal scan of an applicant at the Jisr Diyala police station Sept. 26 during the station’s recruitment drive. (Photo by 59th Military Police Company)

SPC. BEN HUTTO
3RD HBCT, 3RD INF. DIV.

FOB HAMMER

The Iraqi police station in Jisr Diyala became a hub of activity Sept. 26 when 226 applicants arrived to submit their applications during a recruiting drive.

The U.S. Army’s 59th Military Police Company, from Fort Carson, Colo., currently assigned to 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, and Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, currently attached to the 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, assisted the drive by processing applicants’ blood types, retinal scans and fingerprints into the Biometric Automated Tool Set and the Handheld Interagency Identity Detection Equipment Systems databases.

“I think the drive was a great success based on the number of applicants that showed up,” said Staff Sgt. Aaron Eastman, of San Diego, a military policeman with 59th MP Co.

The Iraqi police in Jisr Diyala are looking to fill 157 positions to help make the area more secure.

“They hope to increase the ratio of Iraqi police to citizens to allow the police to provide better service to the community,” Eastman said.

The police interviewed 180 candidates the day of the drive and hoped to finish up the interviews on Thursday.

Eastman said the Iraqi police will use a three-phase process to determine which applicants are most qualified.

Potential applicants will go through an academic test, a physical assessment, and will have to be approved by local leaders before they can be hired.

Eastman said no Soldier in 3rd HBCT plays any role in who the Iraqi police choose to hire.

“We assist with B.A.T.S. and H.I.I.D.E.S., but the Iraqi police handle the testing and interview process,” Eastman said.

The 1-15 Inf. Regt. is part of 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March.