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The Hazelwood Police Department (HPD) was selected by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) as one of 24 U.S. law enforcement agencies to provide leadership, tactical, and field training to Iraqi Police officials.

During the week of July 8-15, the Iraqi Police Commanders met with city officials, command staff and street officers from the Hazelwood and St. Louis County Police Departments.  They visited the St. Louis County Municipal Law Enforcement Academy where they were exposed to American police training techniques and curriculum.

The program is supported by a grant from the State Department, Bureau of International Narcotics & Law Enforcement (INL). INL is administering the transition of the education and training mission from the U.S. military to the State Department which will focus on capacity building and the Rule of Law.  The goal of this program will be to enhance the participants’ professional development and introduces them to American policing techniques.

The IACP and INL plan to train as many as 120 selected Iraqi officers over a three-year period, including the first Iraqi participants who arrived for their training in early 2011.

The Hazelwood Police Dept.  was chosen for its excellence in Community Policing, and for its ability to assist with the integration of the Iraqi police officials to the democratic, community-oriented, and evidence-based culture of American policing.  According to the State Department, this effort “will also seek to establish solid, long-term relationships as Iraqis work alongside U.S. police officers for a unique on-the-job experience.”

The IACP is the world’s oldest and largest association of law enforcement executives.  Retired police chief Carl Wolf is serving his fourth 3-year term as IACP’s vice president/treasurer.  Founded in 1893, the IACP has more than 20,000 members  (story provided by the City of Hazelwood)