BASRA, Iraq, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- British military officials say they are ready to hand over management of the Basra Police Academy to Iraqis after the completion of a training program.
The British Royal Military Police and the British civilian police, the U.K. Police Mission, say Iraqis have completed a police skills and tactics program and are ready to take over operational control of the academy, the British Ministry of Defense reported.
"We're teaching them how to clear buildings, because they could be called to a hostage situation," Cpl. Chris Campbell of the Royal Military Police said in a statement. "We want to get the guys to work more as a team. We've also got a few good guys here that we've identified as instructors."
Officials say more than 160 recruits and 12 Iraqi instructors have graduated from the academy, allowing a gradual drawdown of the British contingent in the region.
"The last few months we've been trying to get the Iraqis to a position where they can deliver their own training," Chief Inspector Kelvin Shipp of the U.K. Police Mission said. "So far, we've been successful. Our next step is to carry on developing the instructors and their management skills, as we step back and let them take control."
