Soldier, police roles in Iraq share many similarities

In a lot of ways, what Officer Ian Preece did while serving in Iraq was similar to what he does patrolling the streets of Anne Arundel County.

Preece, a 25-year-old Arnold native, returned from Iraq last month after a year of service with the Army National Guard. There, his unit - Charlie Troop of the 2nd 104th Cavalry - was in charge of security in an area just north of Baghdad.

They'd patrol, do surveillance, make arrests and charge people - all things he does regularly in his patrol in the Eastern District of the county.

"People you lock up over there, you still have to take them to trial," Preece said.

He is one of 27 officers currently on the county Police Department roster who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, said Justin Mulcahy, a county Police Department spokesman. None are deployed right now, but five have returned this year, he said.

Each one receives a department citation when they return.

"We are extremely proud of Officer Preece for his service to our country during Operation Iraqi Freedom," said Chief of Police Col. James Teare Sr. "Ian is a fine example of the type of characteristics that the men and women of the Anne Arundel County Police Department display."

Though he declined to talk about his war experiences, Preece, a first lieutenant, said days in Iraq were busy, filled with meeting local government and military leaders, working side by side with their security forces, and looking for weapons and roadside bombs. He was a platoon leader in charge of 22 other soldiers.

"We'd be out anywhere from 10 to 12 hours a day," he said. "It made the time go by pretty quick."

And like any soldier, he said he eagerly awaited care packages from home, especially those containing beef jerky, his favorite treat there.

Many of Preece's relatives, including his father, have served in the military, he said.

"I've always wanted to do that, ever since I was young," he said.

His twin brother Reed was deployed at the same time and they awaited care packages from home, especially those containing beef jerky, his favorite treat there.

Many of Preece's relatives, including his father, have served in the military, he said.

"I've always wanted to do that, ever since I was young," he said.

His twin brother Reed was deployed at the same time and they

both served as platoon leaders for the same troops, the 2002 Broadneck High School graduate said. The two enlisted together after high school.

After that, Preece attended Shippensburg University and studied criminal justice and then returned to the county to become a police officer in 2007.

Many of the same things that drew him to the military also propelled him toward police work, Preece said.

"I like that we're able to help people and give back," he said.

Every day in police work is different, and officers aren't stuck behind desks, two major draws for Preece. Those aspects also present challenges, but they're worth it, he said.

He also said he likes the people he works with and helping to improve the area.

Though he just returned home, he already knows that he is scheduled to return to service in 2011, when he is set to be deployed to Afghanistan. Though the job is hard, Preece said he's looking forward to it.

In December, he'll be helping train others who will be deploying for the first time and "really getting those guys geared up and ready to go for the next deployment," Preece said.