BAGHDAD (BNO NEWS) – Kurdish Zerevani policemen began a joint training program Sunday at the Iraqi Special Training Police Academy.

This is only the second group of Kurdish Zerevani police to ever participate in the intensive nine-week course, supervised by the elite Italian Carabinieri for NATO Training Mission in Iraq (NTM-I). The first group of forty graduated in December 2009.

Carabinieri Col. Mauro Isidori, Commander NTM-I Gendarmeri Training Division said the initiative was in line with the spirit and intent of the NATO mission. “We are very encouraged to see this program continue. It shows the strength and commitment of the Iraqi Security Forces and unity.”

The intensive training program builds weapons and shooting skills, high speed arrest and control techniques, and techniques to clear buildings of criminals and terrorists. The NTM-I Italian Carabinieri conduct advanced training, which includes operational planning, police intelligence, counter-insurgency skills, first aid, and basic logistics. Throughout the course, there is an emphasis placed on the rule of law and respect for human rights.

The course is designed to identify and develop Iraqis who will become the trainers for the others. This “Train the Trainer” approach aims to establish a self-sufficient non-sectarian training program that will continue to replenish the Iraqi Federal Police.

NTM-I has been training, mentoring, and advising officers in the Iraqi Security Forces since 2004, and provides mentoring and advice to the Prime Minister’s National Operations Centre, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior Command Centre, and the Iraqi Ministry of Defence Joint Operations Centre.