Previous page | Contents | Next page
12.1  |  Security Sector Reform
judge, only partially effective: undermined by personal and party rivalries, endemic
corruption and the absence of a capable bureaucracy. This is unlikely to change
significantly in the foreseeable future. […]
“Both the MOI and MOD still face significant difficulties in effectively administering
their rapidly expanding forces … Corruption and sectarianism still permeate the
MOI.”1021
1101.  Reports to Congress between November 2006 and March 2007 highlighted the
work being undertaken to tackle corruption in the MOI:
Internal Affairs: By the end of September 2006, 650 out of a total of around
1,000 MOI Internal Affairs officers had received specialised training. Training
for all personnel was expected to be completed by March 2007.1022
“Quicklook”: A coalition‑initiated, MOI‑led police reform programme called
“Quicklook” was launched in December 2006.1023 It aimed to review all aspects
of the performance and effectiveness of Iraqi police stations, beginning in
Baghdad. It comprised visits by representatives from Police Affairs, Internal
Affairs, Human Resources, Training and Administrative Directorates and was
complemented by the PTTs.
Dismissals: By August 2006, over 230,000 MOI employees had been screened
by the Iraqi Police Screening Service, against Ba’ath Party records and
Saddam Hussein‑era criminal records.1024 Possible positive hits numbered
5,300, leading to the dismissal of 74 personnel. By March 2007, there had been
1,228 dismissals with a further 2,143 dismissals pending.1025 The screening
process was severely hampered by its inability to check for militia links; to
counter that, IPS recruits were required to take an oath of office denouncing
militia influence and pledging allegiance to Iraq’s Constitution.1026
The National Police
The DoD reported to Congress on 26 May 2006 that the Iraqi National Police had
been created on 1 April 2006.1027 The Minister of Interior signed an order to reorganise
and merge the Police Commandos, the Public Order and Mechanised Police and the
Emergency Response Unit to form a single force under a single headquarters.
An eGram from Mr Asquith on 7 December explained that the intention behind the
National Police was to create a mixed ethno‑sectarian force, filling the gap between
the “provincial” IPS and the Iraqi Army in dealing with serious civil disorder and internal
1021  JIC Assessment, 17 January 2007, ‘Iraqi Security Forces: Prospects in 2007’.
1022  Report to Congress, 30 November 2006, Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq.
1023  Report to Congress, 2 March 2007, Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq.
1024  Report to Congress, 29 August 2006, Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq.
1025  Report to Congress, 2 March 2007, Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq.
1026  Report to Congress, 30 November 2006, Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq.
1027  Report to Congress, 26 May 2006, Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq.
311
Previous page | Contents | Next page