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MOSUL, Iraq (June 3, 2008) - The residents of Yarimjah, a
neighborhood in southern Mosul, were apprehensive when Iraqi
National Police officers arrived at 4 a.m. May 24. They had heard
many rumors about the national police from neighbors and
television.
What the neighborhood residents experienced was unexpected. The
2nd Battalion, 6th National Police Brigade, under the command of
Col. Fasial Majed Muhsen, moved into the area with exemplary
discipline and courtesy.
Fasial, a 42-year-old former Army officer, and his men rapidly
searched every building within the neighborhood for illegal weapons
and terrorists while minimizing the disruption to the
residents.
"The important thing is to create trust between the national
police and the people and is as important as capturing insurgents
and criminals," said Fasial, who also explained he did not conduct
this operation to rob or intimidate the local citizens, but rather
to gain their willing support.
"To accomplish this, I must have professional policemen and
officers," Faisal said, adding that he requires each member of the
unit to treat citizens with respect and dignity.
Fasial further explained that he does not tolerate any
misconduct by his men and will fire those who are involved in the
slightest offense. This sets a high moral climate for his unit, he
said.
The villagers complimented Faisal's methods.
"They treat us like brothers, and the national police are the
best force that has come into this area," said resident Abd Al
Muhsin Moustafa.
Fasial shared his philosophy toward the residents.
"We are the sons of our country, and we are speaking Arabic. We
are Iraqis, and this is an Iraqi force, and we work for Iraq," he
said. "The state gives us money to protect you, and we came to help
you. You are the masters, and we are the servants."
Under the watchful eye of the national police, Yarimjah is
peaceful, and children play alongside the policemen. Faisal's
approach appears to have made a positive impression on adults and
children. Saeed Aziz Omron, standing beside his young son, made
that clear.
"If you asked my son, he would join the national police right
now," he said.
"The national police has proven itself again as we continue to
build relationships with the Iraqi citizens and respect their human
rights," Staff Maj. Gen. Hussein Jasim Mohammed al-Awadi, commander
of the Iraqi National Police, said during a visit to Yarimjah.
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