The Prime Minister may find useful an update on the UK activity in support of
the efforts underway in Iraq to re-establish the lraqi police service.
The Iraqiisation of security is a key element of the transition plan. Establishing
an effective Iraqi Police Service is one of the major objectives, and the new political
timetable has meant that the strategy had to be both accelerated and expanded.
There are around 45,000 operational police throughout Iraq, and all require
training from now in the coute of thinese officers through three week in service he
country also needs at least an additional 35.000 new officers recruited and trained
before law and order can be fully handed over to Iraqis.
British police officers are involved in both strands of the training programme.
UK support to the police effort is one of the major planks of our security sector reform
strategy in Iraq
Basra
24 additional British police officers will be in place in Basra this week in
preparation for the start of police training at the Az. Zubayr Academy outside Basra on
27 December. Training in the South has also been on-going for some months now
through Royal Military Police in MND (SE). Their co-ordinated programme will now
deliver a capacity to train 460 in-service Iraqi police every three weeks. The UK
effort in Basta is the first to use fully civilian trainers.
Recruit training in Jordan
In Jordan, the first tranche of 500 recruits started training on 29 November.
Once fully up and running, the Jordan centre should produce 1500 training recruits per
month. 36 British police officers are in place and form the largest international
contribution to this project: their work to date is reported as being outstanding. But
there are problems at the site. Construction is behind schedule and conditions poor.
We are working with the US to ensure this is resolved, but there is likelv to be a delay
before the capacity of the centre increases bevond 500 recruits at a time. A further 40
UK officers are on standby to join the Jordan project as it expands.
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police stations in such roles in the immediate future. We are continuing to consider
the options but meanwhile the military will fill the gap as far as they are able. MOD •
are deploying an additional two platoons of RMPs in the MND (SE) area for this
purpose.
Senior police contribution
The UK's senior input to Iraq policing remains strong. DCC Douglas Brand.
senior police adviser in the CPA is responsible for overall policing strategy and
implementation, and will be in place for a further 6 months. In the South. ACC
Stephen White will be replaced from end January. Both officers' teams are currently
being strengthened.
Next steps
If the current programmes progress according to plan, there should be a
significant increase in police numbers by end March when the US hope coalition
forces can withdraw from a great deal of day to day urban policing. Around 6000 new
trained police will have boosted the total national force to over 50,000, and the total
numbers of internationally-trained police will be approaching 20,000. But we need to
be realistic about the figures: numbers do not represent capability. and these police
are likely still to need a good degree of monitoring, mentoring and support from the
multinational presence, as well as back-up from the Iraqi Civil Defence Forces. We
will take stock and write again in March on progress against these targets, and what
this means in terms of coalition forces' presence on the streets.
I am copying this letter to Desmond Bowen and
(Cabinet Office).
Casever
(Kara Owen)
Private Secretary
Matthew Rycroft Esq CBE
10 Downing Street
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