Iraqi Federal Police Training
One of the biggest projects that NTM-I carry out is the training of the Iraqi Federal Police (IFP). The Gendarmerie-type specialised course is designed to provide future training to the IFP to enhance the skills taught at their basic training centres. Police officers attending the Carabinieri course study operational planning, police procedures, police intelligence skills, weapons and combat skills. The course also places special emphasis on police ethics and Human Rights.
Over the last three years the Carabinieri have slowly been transitioning training responsibilities to Iraqi Federal Police instructors who now carry out over 40% of the instruction. Over 8,500 IFP have so far been trained and 123 IFP instructors have also been certified as instructors. Furthermore, over 100 Zerevani Forces of the Kurdish Regional Government have completed this training as part of a plan to integrate them with Iraqi Federal Police forces. This goal of integration serves both to improve security and reduce Arab-Kurd ethnic tensions.
As a result of the work of the Carabinieri, the Iraqi Federal Police are now a highly respected, professional, apolitical security force and this training by the Carabinieri is an example of how NATO training activities have assisted in the professionalization of the Iraqi Security Force.
Carabinieri Training of the Iraqi Oil Police
NTM-I continues to work with Iraq to develop new areas of cooperation and, building on the success of the Carabinieri program, Iraq requested assistance with training for its oil police, to help them develop a cadre of professionals to protect critical economic infrastructure. The first Oil Police training course started in October 2010 using the Carabinieri training program as a model. Each 7 week basic course of around 120 students will train Officers, NCOs and Shurta. By the end of December 2011 it is estimated that there will be over 1100 graduates of the basic course as well as a strong cadre of T3 and T5 instructors.