Iraqi police back on beat, armed and quick

By KIM SENGUPTA in Baghdad

It was unexpected, unofficial and absolutely no law enforcement took place, but it was one of the first police patrols in Baghdad since the American occupation.

The United States military authorities had asked for 100 of Baghdad's finest to attend the National Police Academy yesterday for the launch of joint American-Iraqi patrols to restore calm in the city.

In the event, nearly 2000 Iraqi officers, serving and retired, turned up and the scene soon degenerated into confusion.

Many refused to go out on patrol because the Americans did not want them to carry arms.

"That may work in Britain," said 50-year-old Major Hamed Hassan, "but here all the criminals have guns. Some have machineguns and RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades).

"You saw what is happening here. We do not want to be sent to our deaths."

After waiting for a tetchy and hot 2 1/2 hours, a few officers decided to set off on their own.

Three unmarked cars were leaving. One stopped and the driver leaned out of the window to ask whether I wanted a "free tour of Baghdad".

As we sped off, a police colonel was bellowing on the loudspeakers that the joint patrols were not ready and he had no idea when they would be.

The men in the car, Omar, Hamid and a third who did not even want his first name mentioned, were in civilian clothes. They worked for Internal Security.

"Do not be alarmed by that title," said Omar. "We are just ordinary policemen.

"We are not the Mukhabarat or the Amn al-Khas [arms of the regime's notorious secret police]. We are not bad people."

Since we were in unmarked cars, I ventured that there was less danger of potshots being taken. Omar shrugged.

"Everyone knows the police use white Nissan Maximas. But don't worry, we are not totally without protection."

He pulled a pistol from his belt. "This is for my own use. I am not breaking any laws."

Hamid, who was driving, attempted reassurance.

"Civilians use these cars, too. There is every chance the criminals will not recognise us. Anyway, these cars are quite fast.

"We were given these after they tried to kill Uday [Saddam's son]. When police chased the terrorists they could not keep up."

Omar, 34, and Hamid, 36, were both lieutenants. The third, man, 44, almost monosyllabic, was a more senior officer.

All were glad the regime had fallen, although they were shocked by the lawlessness that followed.

At Tahariya Square they spotted a man walking along.

"That man is a robber, his father was a robber, and his grandfather, too," shouted Omar excitedly.

"Saddam released all people like him in the amnesty, and now they are looting and killing."

At my request we drove into the Mukhabarat headquarters in Mansour, bombed by the Americans and ransacked by looters.

Even now groups were turning up, in cars and utes, to scavenge.

Back in central Baghdad, US Navy Captain Frank Thorp would not say whether any of the officers selected for patrol were members of Saddam's Baath Party.

He added that local people had formed neighbourhood watches.

Said Omar: "These are people who used to report straight to the Mukhabarat. So maybe they have found another master."

Military Action

* Northern Iraq - US Marines seize control of Tikrit.

* Baghdad - US troops set up round-the-clock patrols in some quarters; more than 2000 Iraqi policemen report back to work.

* Southern Iraq - British military has moved to policy of zero tolerance on looting in Basra.

* Gulf - US carriers Kitty Hawk and Constellation have received orders to leave the Gulf in coming days. That will leave three carriers in waters near Iraq.

- INDEPENDENT

Herald Feature: Iraq war