The largest class of Iraqi police recruits was scheduled to graduate today from the Furat Iraqi Police Training Academy in Baghdad.

More than 1,300 recruits began a two-week introductory police training on March 2, according to a news release issued Tuesday by Multi-National Corps-Iraq.

The course teaches basic law enforcement techniques, including weapons training, combat techniques, building-clearing, first aid and defensive moves against small-arms attacks.

The enrollment has included some members of the “Sons of Iraq” citizens groups, which have helped provide security in Iraq and have been credited for reducing violence in the country.

The goal, officials say, is to train more than 12,000 new recruits from surrounding provinces.

The Furat facility opened in February. It was built by the 18th Military Police Brigade Police Transition Team and 35th Engineer Brigade to expand the Iraqi police forces, officials say.

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