Press Release 20110319-01
March 19, 2011

BAGHDAD - Assistant Secretary of State for the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, former Ambassador William R. Brownfield, toured the forensics lab at the Baghdad Police College here March 16, as the Government of Iraq and the U.S. State Department continue efforts to increase Iraqi civilian police capacities.

"On October 1, the State Department, in partnership with the Government of Iraq, will begin a civilian Police Development Program that focuses on strengthening management, leadership and advanced policing skills and encourages community policing - promoting detection and prevention of crime in partnership with the community," U.S. State Department officials said. "The Iraqi police have made substantial improvements during the past seven years as we provided the training and equipment to establish a basic foundation of law enforcement skills," said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Michael Smith, director of USF-I's Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Police.
"I look forward to continue working with Assistant Secretary Brownfield and his INL team as they build their team to provide specialized and advanced training to Iraqi Police leaders," said Smith, a resident of Randolph, N.J. "The INL team of experts will provide sophisticated tools and modern techniques to improve the capabilities and professionalism of the Iraqi police while earning the trust and confidence of the Iraqi people." The goal of INL's Police Development Program is not only focused on regional law enforcement but extends to other areas of the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, to include the Department of Border Enforcement. Furthermore, the goal is to diminish crime within Iraq and stop criminals from entering the country.

"Under U.S. State Department leadership, the Police Development Program will advise and mentor with the Ministry of Interior, Iraqi Police Services and Department of Border Enforcement at regional and national headquarters and at major provincial sites to develop a community policing system," U.S. State Department Officials said.

"Advisors will be based in Baghdad, Basrah and Arbil and will travel to different field locations chosen for their strategic importance and impact," U.S. State Department Officials continued. "The program will also extend to the Department of Border Enforcement, providing INL funding to Department of Homeland Security experts who will train in detecting fraudulent documents, human trafficking, drug interdiction and smuggling," they said.
Along with training on how to identify these crimes, Iraqi police forces will also be equipped with the knowledge to sustain law enforcement programs already in place.
"The program includes a comprehensive instructor-development program based in Baghdad, and supports training at Iraqi Regional Training Academies to ensure a uniform training standard," U.S. State Department Officials said. Since 2004, Iraqi police training programs have grown, and the MoI has worked continually to build trust in Iraqi police forces among the Iraqi people.

"Significant progress has been made since the U.S. military first began police training programs with Iraq's Ministry of Interior in 2004," U.S. State Department officials said. "At the Baghdad Police College, and at training centers throughout the country, the MoI is now conducting all basic, and many advanced training courses, for the various police services utilizing Iraqi instructors and a standardized professional curriculum. This includes more than 45 courses on-going, more than 5,000 students in training, 3,300 graduates of training in the past 30 days, and more than 9,000 graduates so far in 2011.

" Proper training ensures Iraqi police forces enforce the law, and provides for the safety and security of the Iraqi people. "Partnering with the Government of Iraq provides them the necessary tools to support and sustain Iraqi police and border forces, enabling them to be the primary provider of internal security, responsive to citizens' needs and protection," U.S. State Department officials said. "The progress made by the MoI in police training will greatly enable the police services to provide a safe and secure Iraq for its citizens."