thedrifter
01-26-08, 08:11 AM
Fixing the Iraqi Police Forces [J. Peter Pham]
The Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College published today a study by U.S. Army LTC Tony Pfaff on Development and Reform of the Iraqi Police Forces. The study examines the reasons why, despite considerable resources and other outside inputs, the capacities of the police forces are far from meeting the demands. The author argues:
By virtue of becoming an Iraqi policeman, an individual accepts a professional identity that crosscuts these other reinforcing identities. But since in Iraq reinforcing ties are stronger than cross-cutting ones, police forces often become a battleground for these sects rather than a means to unify them. Further, as the ties that bind Iraqis together as Iraqis disintegrate, individuals will turn to smaller and smaller groups for their basic social needs, especially security. This will further narrow the scope of loyalty of the Iraqi police.
The failure of the professional identity of “police officer” to transcend sectarian identity is further exacerbated by complex cultural factors that have created a difficult environment in which even dedicated Iraqi police officers and government officials find it difficult to make progress. This analysis of identity is important because in dealing with cross-cultural police reform, one must be able to distinguish between genuine moral dilemmas indigenous forces face from the distortion of values otherwise compatible with just, effective policing, from corrupt and abusive behavior. Iraqis will confront corruption, if properly supported. They are less likely to be willing or even able to break apart the close relationships which drive many other decisions, such as hiring, firing, disciplining, and promotions, even though those decisions may not always be compatible with the creation of a just and effective police force.
LTC Pfaff suggest that while "reform can only come from within the culture, external parties can help motivate and facilitate reform" and that "coalition advisors need to develop a strategy that includes building institutions, mentoring in the field, and establishing organizations capable of providing oversight of police and ministry activities and operations."
Ellie
The Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College published today a study by U.S. Army LTC Tony Pfaff on Development and Reform of the Iraqi Police Forces. The study examines the reasons why, despite considerable resources and other outside inputs, the capacities of the police forces are far from meeting the demands. The author argues:
By virtue of becoming an Iraqi policeman, an individual accepts a professional identity that crosscuts these other reinforcing identities. But since in Iraq reinforcing ties are stronger than cross-cutting ones, police forces often become a battleground for these sects rather than a means to unify them. Further, as the ties that bind Iraqis together as Iraqis disintegrate, individuals will turn to smaller and smaller groups for their basic social needs, especially security. This will further narrow the scope of loyalty of the Iraqi police.
The failure of the professional identity of “police officer” to transcend sectarian identity is further exacerbated by complex cultural factors that have created a difficult environment in which even dedicated Iraqi police officers and government officials find it difficult to make progress. This analysis of identity is important because in dealing with cross-cultural police reform, one must be able to distinguish between genuine moral dilemmas indigenous forces face from the distortion of values otherwise compatible with just, effective policing, from corrupt and abusive behavior. Iraqis will confront corruption, if properly supported. They are less likely to be willing or even able to break apart the close relationships which drive many other decisions, such as hiring, firing, disciplining, and promotions, even though those decisions may not always be compatible with the creation of a just and effective police force.
LTC Pfaff suggest that while "reform can only come from within the culture, external parties can help motivate and facilitate reform" and that "coalition advisors need to develop a strategy that includes building institutions, mentoring in the field, and establishing organizations capable of providing oversight of police and ministry activities and operations."
Ellie