CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Soldiers with C Troop, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, recently facilitated "use of force" training at a Tarmiyah police station beginning mid-May.

The class was led by a civilian policeman from the United States with the assistance of previously trained IPs, and with 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division soldiers playing the role of local citizens during training scenarios similar to what the Iraqi police encounter out on the streets.

The soldiers provided the U.S. perspective on law enforcement and how it's supposed to operate, said Staff Sgt. Anthony Lovell, a cavalry scout with C Troop, and the non-commissioned officer in charge of Iraqi Police advisory training.

"(We're) trying to ... train the Iraqi Police to where they can start establishing their foothold in their own country and [ensure] that they have the knowledge and training that we would give our soldiers," said Lovell, a Phoenix native.

During the training, the Iraqi policemen learned the difference between deadly force and non-lethal force through a series of classes and exercises.

Knowing the difference between when it is appropriate to use a shoulder lock to subdue an uncooperative individual and when to use a bullet to engage the enemy is important knowledge in the day-to-day work of IPs, said Muhanad, a policeman at the Tarmiyah police station.

"Sometimes I have to use deadly force because we have different situations [in the cities]," said Muhanad.

C Troop soldiers pushed hard to incorporate the train-the-trainer concept, which allows students to take what they've learned and train their fellow Iraqi Security Forces members.

Muhanad had previously attended training with the C Troop Soldiers, returning this time as an instructor to demonstrate the train-the-trainer concept. Lovell said he was encouraged by the police officers' growth.

"[IP training is] important so we can start our successful withdrawal and turn the area of the remaining operational environment over to the Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army," said Lovell.

The police training is scheduled to continue throughout the summer, moving to other stations across the 2nd Sqdn., 1st Cav. Regt., footprint.