New Paradigm for the Iraqi Police

Policing can be an effective counterinsurgency tool. Police are able to determine the individual needs of each community and address each constituency's concern which in turn enhances the government's legitimacy. The Iraqi Police face the challenge of transforming themselves from an institution that served the state to an institution that serves the people. They have so far failed to achieve that paradigm shift. Commanders in the field that have recently executed the Police Transition mission, as well as experts in the Iraqi Police training process, admit that after years and millions of dollars in training and equipping, their developmental progress lags behind that of the military. Iraqi Police, however, have models of behavior they can rely on that are compatible with this change. Introducing the Community-Oriented Policing (COP) philosophy into their training may provide a reliable model of behavior to help the Iraqi Police accomplish this transformation. Their ability to change may have a direct impact on the legitimacy and success of the Government of Iraq (GOI). The success of the GOI may directly impact the United State's National Strategic Objectives.