Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base
APO AE 09348

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release No. 090803-01
August 3, 2009
Contact:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
DSN:  318-852-1332
IRAQNA:  0790-194-0270

Iraqi National Police Renamed Federal Police

BAGHDAD – The Iraqi National Police received a new name as the Federal Police when the name change became effective Aug. 1.

The name change to Federal Police “goes side by side with the objectives of the national unity government,” said a spokesman for the police. 

Lt. Col Mohammed Al Baydani said the Federal Police have a plan to set up a brigade headquarters in every province, including the self-ruled Kurdistan region, over the next two years. He said the Federal Police’s role is to protect all of the citizens of Iraq. In many areas of Baghdad, Basra, Mosul and Amara, the National Police have proven their ability to restore peace and order for the good of all citizens.

Over the past three years, the former National Police nearly doubled in size to 42,000 members. Under the command of Lt. Gen. Hussain Al-Awadi, the police force has raised its training to a higher standard of professionalism. All brigades have now completed advanced individual training courses and more than 5,700 policemen have completed the specialized Carabinieri training taught by the Italian Police and NATO forces.

Al-Awadi has also removed corruption and improved the ethnic and religious diversity in the ranks of the Federal Police and implemented a police code of ethics. 

Today, the Federal Police is comprised of four divisions and 17 brigades, including  a mechanized and sustainment brigade and the Al-Askari Brigade that is dedicated to providing security for Al-Askari mosque in Samarra during the its reconstruction.

The organization’s history dates to Aug. 15, 2004 when it was formed as the Special Police to provide a national rapid respond capability to counter armed insurgency and large-scale civil disobedience and riots. The name was changed to the Iraq National Police March 30, 2006.

Since June 30, the Federal Police have also performed another role, providing escort duty of U.S. military convoys through the cities of Iraq.

“Forces from the Iraqi Federal Police have accompanied U.S. convoys in the streets of Baghdad to support the American Army mission to move forces to different locations,” said a federal policeman. The escort operation is also a part of the U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement and shows the Iraqi’s abilities to provide security and execute its responsibilities under the agreement.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL SECURITY TRANSITION COMMAND – IRAQ PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE BY E-MAIL AT This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it OR BY HONE AT DSN: (318) 852-1332 OR IRAQNA: 0790-194- 0270.  FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION VISIT:  WWW.MNSTCI.IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL .

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