|
|
Ministry of The Interior
9 May 2003
Overall Information
The Ministry of Interior consists of two government institutions;
the Police and the municipal branches. The Ministry wants to
bring these institutions back with the Iraqi people who formerly
worked there before the war.
Facts on the Police Force
A return of law enforcement in Iraq has been one of the top ORHA
priorities after intital looting throughout Iraq. Gen. Jay Garner
made an announcement over Baghdad radio for all policemen to return
to duty on May 4. This does not mean they will begin
patrolling the streets on May 4, and some of the issues that remain
are:
-how to get the policemen back to work fast,
-decide which of the police organizations were too tainted by the
previous regime to reconstitute and
-the need for a new policing ethics: respecting human rights and
guaranteeing openness and accountability.
The concern is that the policemen, once used to inspire fear in
the Iraqi people, would be more intimidating than helpful. People
are asking the question, "Aren’t you putting Saddam’s
thugs back on the streets?" Steps are being taken to ensure
police are here
to protect, not intimidate.
-We have decided not to reconstitute a number of Minister of Interior
units, which were too tainted by their close relationship with
the regime.
-Police chiefs will be issued guidelines and principles, which they
will be responsible for briefing police officers. These include
no
corporal or capital punishment, no physical or mental coercion and
no arbitrary arrest or detention.
-There will be two complaint procedures; one to deal with prior
human rights violations and one once the police force is
reconstituted.
Facts on the Baghdad Fire Brigade
The interim supervisor reported over 900 fire brigade staff workers
in Baghdad - 23 out of 25 fire stations staffed and 12 fire
stations operational. The one concern the Fire Brigade has is fuel,
which they are running out of. ORHA is ensuring the delivery
of fuel to the brigade.
Press Opportunities
-Ongoing meetings with the police and many possibilities with patrols.
Rueters, AP, Dubai and Abu Dhabi TV are already present
at the Police Academy.
-First press opportunity will be the fuel being delivered to the
fire brigade.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the status of the Police Force in Baghdad?
A: The 318th Battalion of Military Police is working with the Baghdad
police. They are training the Iraqi police on the job by
doing joint patrols. The majority of the police force has reported
to work since the May 4 announcement to return to work.
Almost all traffic police and fire brigade have returned to work.
The numbers are as follows:
Patrol 1679/2700 Vital Guards 1112/6705
Traffic 1479/1600 Civil 973/1275
Q: How is the Police Force getting paid?
A: Emergency payments of $20 are being made. We are working on a pay
scale.
Q: Weren't the Police used as an instrument of Torture and Intimidation
during the regime? Are people going to trust
them?
A: True, some police were used for terror and intimidation. Which
is why we are not asking the following units back: The
Criminal Investigations Division, Police Security Office are not being
reestablished. And the following organizations, which
reported directly to Saddam Hussein, the Intelligence Services, Public
Safety Directorate, Military Intelligence Directorate, Special
Guard Directorate and Emergency Brigade.
Q: What about the security of Baghdad? Isn't there still looting going
on?
A: The looting in Baghdad has decreased dramatically since the end
of the war, and this will only continue with the return of
police. Our goal is to have all 60 police stations staffed twenty-four
hours a day as soon as possible.
Q: How many Police Stations do you have staffed 24 hours a day at
the moment?
A: A few are staffed twenty-four hours a day as of May 14. Nearly
all of them are staffed during some portion of the day.
|
|