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Iraqi Police Force Should Be 'Scrapped'

Infighting, corruption force recommendation that US 'start over'

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 31, 2007 11:45 AM CDT

(Newser) – Corruption and sectarian biases are so deeply entrenched in the Iraqi police ranks that the force's structure must be “scrapped,” an independent panel will report to Congress next week. The recommendation stems from an examination of the 26,000-member police force that concludes “we should start over,” a military official tells the Times.

Carrying out the blue-ribbon panel's recommendations, which include shrinking and reorganizing the police force, would be fraught with uncertainty—a similar disbanding of the Iraqi army in 2003 led to armed backlash against the US military. But the stature of the committee members and continuing Democratic dissatisfaction with the progress of the war may limit the administration's options.

Members of the Iraqi security forces guard the streets in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007. Police ordered a curfew Tuesday in the... (Associated Press)

Iraqi policemen carry the coffins of Khalil Jalil Hamza, the governor of Qadisiyah province and his police chief, Maj. Gen. Khalid Hassan in a solemn funeral in Diwaniyah, 130 kilometers (80 miles) south... (Associated Press)

Iraqi police respond to an oil pipeline fire in central Basra, 550 kilometers southeast of Baghdad, Iraq on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007. British helicopters fired four rockets on gunmen with Katusha rockets... (Associated Press)

Smoke from burning cars rise after clashes broke out in the streets of Shiite holy city of Karbala 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007. Police ordered a curfew Tuesday... (Associated Press)

An Iraqi policeman looks at the body of his dead colleague outside the hospital in Baqouba, capital of Iraq's Diyala province, 60 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of Baghdad, Thursday Aug. 23, 2007. On... (Associated Press)

An Iraqi policeman inspects the wreckage of a car used in a suicide bombing on a road in southern Kirkuk, 290 kilometers (180 miles) north of Baghdad, Iraq on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007. The attack, targeting... (Associated Press)

Iraqi police look at the body of one of two Yazidi men who had been stoned to death after they turned up at a morgue in the northern city of Kirkuk, 290 kilometers (180 miles) north of Baghdad, Iraq on... (Associated Press)

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Iraqi Police Force Should Be 'Scrapped'

Infighting, corruption force recommendation that US 'start over'

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Iraqi Police Force Should Be 'Scrapped'

Infighting, corruption force recommendation that US 'start over'

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iraq • Congress • military • Pentagon • sectarian violence • Nouri al-Maliki • David Petraeus • Ryan Crocker • corruption • Government Accountability Office • Iraqi security forces • Iraq Army

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Iraqis 'Fail to Meet Benchmarks'

Congressional auditors say most key goals unfulfilled

Fear Rules Iraq, Briefers Tell Congress

Benchmarks not likely to be met, say Crocker, Petraeus

Iraqis Celebrate 'Sovereignty Day' as US Pulls Back

Maliki declares June 30 'National Sovereignty Day'

Pelosi Becomes a Believer on Baghdad Trip

Staunch war critic optimistic about upcoming election

Dead Soldiers Beef Up Iraqis' Troop Count

US audit says many in special forces aren't actually serving

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?