Haditha police making gradual progress

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Haditha police making gradual progress
By Jimmy Norris, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, November 7, 2008

HADITHA, Iraq — Poor logistical support, struggles to decentralize command and possible corruption are among the things that frustrate Police Transition Team 1 as they struggle to transform Haditha’s police from the paramilitary force that once battled insurgents in the streets to a community police force that can work with the public.

"Higher (ups) won’t give them anything," said Staff Sgt. Mike Fogleman, Police Transition Team 1. "Anything they ask for — chairs, desks, pencils — they get seasonal uniforms."

Fogleman has been spending six days a week at the Haditha police station trying to help Iraqi police put together and maintain a system for ordering and keeping track of supplies ranging from furniture to ammunition. He said he’s frustrated over the difficulties in obtaining supplies from provincial authorities.

He’s not the only one experiencing difficulties.

Staff Sgt. Kevin Mayers, also of PTT 1, found himself with little to do Wednesday after a power outage left him without a computer to help Iraqi police work on administrative tasks. Even when the computers are working, he said, the police station has no Internet service and communications are often handled by phone, radio or runner.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=58674