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POLICING THE ZOS POLICE
hi tlie beleaguered noitlieasterii portion of Bosnia lies a clieckpouit we call Pear TCP. Everyone atsometime has passed it and probably noted the congestion around it. 1 like to refer to this TCP as tlie"flashpoint," an area at wliich a majority of ow focus lies. The soldiers of the 501st MP Company arecharged with a myriad of tasks to perform at this location, most wliich we train for on a continual basis.MP s must be vigDant and prepared to handle new situations daily.
When we deployed to Bosnia we expected mines and Force Protection to be the focus and weassumed the main antagonists were the Muslims(BlH) and the Serbs(VRS). We figured that the ZOSwould separate tlie factions tliat seemed to create tlie uimiliness in tlie area from Nortli to Soutli.Surprisingly enougli, we have learned that the "loose federation" betweien the Muslims and theCroats(HVO), West to East respectively, has created a different situation within the ZOS, in fact, withineyesight of our operations.
Pear TCP is the host to a joint checkpoint manned by IFOR MP s as well as Muslim and Croatcivilian police. After many negotiations, we were able to limit the checkpoint to two police each forMuslims and Croats to avoid congestion and strength in numbers issues between sides. Since thischeckpomt lies Li tlie ZOS, IFOR may dictate all actions/activities in tlie area. One of tlie most hair-raisingtasks we have had in the Ready First sector has been trying to mediate and separate the two police forcesfrom time to time. Around here, any action by one force creates reaction from another—an "up-the-anny"type situation. An example would be the customs checkpoints each side uses to harass civilians in tlieirareas. We respond to numerous coniplauits reference police from all sides, to Liclude tlie Serbs, cliargingmoney for goods traveling through their area, highway robbery occuring by police, and battered civilianswho were the recipients of the frustration each of these sides have with the peace process. We have had toremove police from areas of the ZOS, deal wth tlireats between the forces, break up physical altercations,and even liad to prevent a weapon beuig drawn in retaliation during an altercation.
Each police force believes they have legitimacy over the area in which 1st Brigade located itsheadquarters. Locally, it is known as Dubrave and tliis suburb of Brcko has been fought for and defendedby botli sides, against each otlier and agauist tlie Serbs. Witliout a formal territorial boundary, it isunderstandable why RT Pear and Pear TCP are an issue.
Due to political ramifications, the brigade commander has chosen to use the "defacto" police in thearea of tlie headquarters to ensure safety to tlie local populace. Li doLig so, tliere are clauiis from one policeforce that the other is "para-military" and is not trained and not legitimate as viewed by the Government. Itis our understanding that when the IPTF(Intemational Police Task Force) arrives, it will consolidate andtrain police forces and standardize one police uniform under the auspice of the federal police force. TheDubrave area is Liliabited by a certain bacl^ound of people and tlieir legitimacy is backed up by liaving anarmored brigade headquarters a few kilometers away. Since IFOR has chosen to deal with "defacto" policefor now, the MP s find themselves extremely busy responding to situations.
One of tlie most tedious tasks we liave at Pear TCP is verifymg who are tlie autliorized police in tlieZOS. We developed a pass-on book for tlie TCP with various rosters from each side to aid in identification.MP s must verify that the police are in the proper uniform, have a picture ID, and are authorized by IFOR tocarry a sidearm. We have an interpreter available most oftlie time to assist in this task. Dealing with localsoldiers who claun to be police m different uniforms adds to tiie frustration. Many confiscations liave takenplace due to violations of this policy.
Additionally, controlling soldier movements through the ZOS has created some challenges. Amajority of weapons we have confiscated to date are from uninformed soldiers who roam tluougli tlie ZOS.Tensions have been high during some confiscations but the MP s have always maintained control over thesituation, even when increasing the weapons stahis became the answer. Currentiy, the unit maintains 59weapons and over 5000 rounds of confiscated ammunition. Twentj'-two of these weapons were
