Iraqi police training revamped

BAGHDAD, March 9 (UPI) -- U.S. military officials in Iraq have widened their training programs for the Iraqi police because of concerns over corruption and rights abuses.

The problem is seen as a result of police officers having to concentrate more on fighting insurgents. The new effort is designed to keep them focused on protecting citizens.

The forces currently are controlled by Iraq's Interior Ministry headed by Bayan Jabr, a Shiite Muslim with ties to a sectarian militia, reports The Los Angeles Times.

The report says this has resulted in making the police force dominated by Shiites, who are accused of inflicting torture and operating death squads against Iraq's Sunni Arab minority.

The problem also results from the fact that U.S. advisers have had to concentrate on training army recruits. This in turn has allowed the police force to gain access to modern equipment, weapons and vehicles with little record keeping.

Under the new program, the United States has tripled the number of training teams attached to police forces throughout Iraq and expanded police training academies in Jordan and Iraq, the Times reported.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Peterson said the expanded training program will focus on human rights.