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The Report of the Iraq Inquiry
240.  The MOD deployed OPTAG to train US military trainers and “pass on UK expertise
in peace support operations” in June.188
241.  Mr Andy Bearpark became the CPA Director of Operations and Director of
Operations and Infrastructure in June 2003. He told the Inquiry:
“The training of the new Iraqi police force was perceived of as an entirely civilian
lead, even though military resources might be required.”189
242.  Mr Straw met Ambassador Bremer in Iraq on 2 July.190 The record of the meeting
stated that Mr Kerik had made a request for “experienced police officers to help with
training and mentoring”.
243.  The nature of this request was clarified in the record of the IPU’s visit to Iraq in
early July, which stated:
“… a specific request for 100 UK Police Officers in a mentoring/tutoring role for the
next 18 months operating in Iraq was raised by Kerik.”191
244.  Police secondees were expected to contribute in a range of areas including training
and mentoring, with some officers being expected to “have executive powers” (that is, to
be operational police officers).
245.  Acting DCC Brand deployed to Iraq on 4 July.192
246.  Before his deployment, the evidence seen by the Inquiry indicates that there was
no clear understanding of what his role would be. There had “been a hint that the role
will be to head up the international policing effort”, but it was decided that he should
accompany the FCO’s SSR team on a visit to Baghdad and that “if there is a substantial
role for him it is intended that he will stay on”.193
247.  Former DCC Brand told the Inquiry that he had been “told that I should seek to
negotiate my way in with Bernard Kerik, but if that failed to return to the UK”.194
248.  Once DCC Brand was in Iraq, agreement was reached that he would serve as
Mr Kerik’s chief adviser on policing.195 Shortly after arriving in Baghdad, DCC Brand
188  Letter Williams to Rycroft, 1 July 2003, ‘Iraq: Security and Troop Levels’; Letter Sinclair to Sheinwald,
17 October 2003, ‘Iraq Security and Policing’.
189  Public hearing, 6 July 2010, page 78.
190  Telegram 24 FCO London to IraqRep, 3 July 2003, ‘Iraq: Foreign Secretary’s Meeting with the
Administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq, 2 July’.
191  Report Lowe [MOD], 9 July 2003, ‘Visit Report – IPU Security Sector Reform Team Visit to Baghdad
4‑7 July’.
192  Statement Brand, 18 June 2010, page 1.
193  Minutes, 26 June 2003, ‘Minutes of a Meeting to Discuss Security Sector Reform in Iraq Held at the IPU
on Thursday 26 June 03’.
194  Statement, 18 June 2010, page 1.
195  Minute Brand, 16 July 2003, ‘Report from Iraq – Douglas Brand’.
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