Transferring law enforcement duties presents challenges

"The army actually will be playing with the stuff," Major Basem Ebruhem abd-Zedan Al Daynei told American advisors from the 1-25th Stryker Brigade Combat Team. "They should not be playing with the knife or sword," he added, speaking through a translator, describing crime scenes disturbed before his investigators examine them for potential evidence. "You need to tell the army all they got to do is secure the site."

Turf battles between local police and the Iraqi Army, the IP and IA, respectively, pose continuing concern for Americans working to hand off responsibilities to Iraqis. U.S. soldiers generally avoid taking sides in matters involving Iraq's rival security agencies, each of which reports to different ministries. In this instance, however, the IP major found a sympathetic ear in Ted Hendricks, a retired narcotics agent hired to assist the brigade's efforts boosting local police in Diyala Province.

"That's not a problem just here," Hendricks said of evidentiary problems created by thoughtless first responders. "In Chicago, they touch everything."

Military Professional Resources, Inc. employee Hendricks, one of about 150 law enforcement professionals, or LEPs, assisting Iraq under a federal contract, was making his first visit to the station. The other American present that recent morning in the Iraqi's cramped office, Capt. Phillip Hokenson, leader of Second Platoon, Alpha Company, 2ndBattalion, 8thField Artillery Regiment, has invested months been drawing upon brigade resources and contacts in support of local police. As he and his platoon prepare to rotate back to Fort Wainwright, the young captain is racing to deliver on commitments made through the brigade and other coalition partners. "Is he OK with the fuel allotment?" Hokenson inquired through a translator.

The discussion shifted to the gas needed -25 liters- making the rounds at stations under major's command.

"That's why we're willing to come here or pick you guys up for training," Hokenson added at one point. "We'd like to get six guys for house to house search training at Warhorse."

Tea arrived while the officers and brigade LEP discussed possibilities. Maj. Bassem carried himself with dignity. He displayed a command of the facts summarizing ongoing investigations of suspected Al Qaeda Iraq members and other government opponents. He outlined his own investigative training to Hendricks with apparent pride. His uniform appeared crisp despite the morning heat. His desk, positioned in front of the nation's red, white and green flag, added official gravity. The presence of a police lieutenant on the major's right, bent over thick files, jotting notes, suggested an operation run by the book. The station's hospitality continued through several servings of tea. Yet hints of the challenges the major and other Iraqi police face kept surfacing.

A single dim bulb lit the office packed with Iraqi staff and the visitor's security. Twice within about 90 minutes, station power failed, leaving the group fidgeting in darkness. The major, whose 65-member force is down about 10 men from its peak, took calls on a cell phone jury rigged as a cable handset. When Hendricks asked if the station has a digital camera, for use photographing suspects and documenting crime scenes, the major's frustrations bubbled over.

"We requested one and they provided it to us, but with no memory card," the major said, sending a man to fetch the camera.

The box appeared new, but the camera was an older 4-megapixel model, rendered useless absent an appropriate Compact Flash card. "Is that a good camera?" Hokenson asked, turning to a member of his security detail. "My cell phone is better than that," a platoon soldiers said.

Though Hendricks is staying on and the brigade will be handing off assistance missions to its replacements, Maj. Bassem sounded worried as he kidded Hokenson about his prospects back in Alaska.

"You're going to your girlfriend and have a good time there," he said. "And we'll be having problems with water and all the things here."

"Many, many girlfriends," the officer shot back.

"More than good," the major said fondly. "He's one of the best friends we have over here," the policeman announced about the captain. "He takes care of all then police stations very good."

The respect is mutual, Hokenson later said, citing the Iraqi's contributions restoring security in the area of his command. "Maj. Bassem's one of the good ones."

As the meeting broke up, the major's lieutenant took a piece of carbon paper used during the session, folded it and put it away.

O'Donoghue teaches journalism at University of Alaska Fairbanks. This month he and three students are embedded journalists with the 1-25th Stryker Brigade Combat team in Diyala Province, Iraq.