1st Battalion 22nd Infantry & National Police Pursue Criminals

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

1-22 and National Police Pursue Criminals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RELEASE No. 20080912-05
September 12, 2008

National Police relentlessly share information in West Rashid

NPs continue to pursue criminals in Bayaa without hesitation

Capt. Jeffrey Tounge

1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt., 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., Multi-National Division – Baghdad

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – National Policemen and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers
used information handbills to engage the residents of Aamel and Bayaa Sept. 11 in an effort to keep criminals on the move in West Rashid.

The 2nd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division, has conducted several information dissemination operations in Hayys Aamel
and Bayaa in order to remain proactive in the hunt for active criminals.

This operation is the fourth in a series of National Police-led operations, and the residents of Aamel and Bayaa remain positive and welcoming.
Residents of the Tamin Market area in Hayy Bayaa thanked the National Police for the improved security and indicated
they were optimistic about the recent improvements to the neighborhood.

Iraqi National Policemen from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division, deliver information handbills
to Iraqi citizens of Hayy Aamel Sep. 11 in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. National Police are disseminating information
in an attempt to catch Baghdad's most wanted criminals and terrorists suspected of operating in Rashid. Iraqi Security
and Coalition Forces are offering rewards of up to $50,000 for information leading to the capture of these suspects.

(U.S. Army photo by 2nd Lt. Kyle Fichtner, 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt., 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

“The security situation is good, and we thank God for our situation now,” said A’alaa Jabar, an INP assigned to 2nd Bn., 5th Bde., 2nd NP Div.
“The people feel more comfortable and are able to go walking and shopping.”

These operations stress the importance of community involvement with information sharing and cooperation with the local Iraqi Security Forces.

So far, the residents in West Rashid have made the operations successful with their positive approach to local security forces.

“The National Police have worked hard to develop a working relationship with the local residents,” said Capt. John Matheny,
a native of Marietta, Ohio, and battle captain assigned to the 1st Bn., 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team,
4th Inf. Div., Multi-National Division – Baghdad. “This is an important aspect of catching a criminal.
When the criminals no longer find haven within the community, they are exposed and vulnerable.”

The National Police and Coalition Forces are confident that this series of operations will bear fruit over time
as more useful information is made available to the National Police to develop their targeting process.

“The residents of Aamel and Bayaa were interested in removing dangerous individuals from their neighborhoods by supporting the National Police
with actionable information,” said Maj. Mark Thompson, operations officer of the 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt., 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

A resident of the Aamel neighborhood receives a “Wanted Poster” handbill from an Iraqi National Policeman
of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division, Sept. 11 in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad.
The wanted poster handbill offers rewards of up to $50,000 for the capture of the special groups criminals
and militia leaders in the even they return to the area.

(U.S. Army photo by 2nd Lt. Kyle Fichtner, 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt., 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

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