Study Says Iraqi Police Aren't Cutting It

We needed a study to tell us that.

One of Congress' requested independent studies on the situation in Iraq has been filed.

Iraq's security forces have made "uneven progress" and will be unable to take over security on their own in the next 12 to 18 months, according to an independent assessment.

The study, conducted by a 20-member panel led by retired Gen. James Jones, found the Iraqi Army shows promise of becoming a viable, independent security force with time. But the group offers a scathing assessment of Baghdad's Ministry of Interior and recommends scrapping Iraq's national police force, which it describes as dysfunctional and infiltrated by militias.

  Yahoo

And then what? They want to start over on the police force. Because they think it won't simply evolve into the very same thing? The new recruits are going to suddenly be different? Or maybe they want to have a privatized police department made up of mercenaries from other countries. I'll have to get back to you on the details.

I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's. --Mark Twain

And frankly, I think the monkeys could do a better job with this one.

And, no. I don't have a better idea myself. But just getting the hell out could have the effect of actually improving the situation.

A "qualified success"

Iraq's police force has suffered from inadequate recruiting and screening of candidates, apparently even allowing some insurgents to join, a U.S. report said Monday.

[...]

Current plans call for building a police force of about 135,000. But the report criticized the U.S. administration in Iraq for focusing too much on reaching that number, and not enough on finding quality recruits.

[...]

"Inducting criminals into the (Iraqi police) is a continual concern. Even more troubling is infiltration by intending terrorists or insurgents. There is sufficient evidence to conclude that such persons indeed are among the ranks" of Iraqi police, the report said.

[...]

Even so, the study by the inspectors general at the Defense and State departments said the effort to build up Iraq's police agencies has been a qualified success.

  WaPo article