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Police ârestoring order in Iraqâ
The former New York police chief who has been put in charge of rebuilding Iraqâs police force says he is making good progress in controlling crime. Bernard Kerik - who was appointed to run the interior ministry four months ago - said police had recently broken up four gangs involved in kidnapping Iraqi civilians for ransom. The failure to curb crime since the fall of Saddam Husseinâs regime has been one of the strongest criticisms made against the US-led coalition in Iraq. Brushing aside criticism that crime is still out of control in Iraq, Mr Kerik listed areas in which the newly-reformed police force was making headway. In particular, he highlighted kidnapping for ransom, a practice used by the Saddam regime which has continued after its downfall. Mr Kerik, the former New York police commissioner credited with cutting crime in that city, described one case in which the Iraqi police, without the support of US forces, smashed an armed kidnapping gang. He said four hostages, including an eight-year-old boy, were released, and eight suspects detained. He showed graphic photographs of torture inflicted on some of the hostages by the gang leader, whom he described as a close associate of Saddam Husseinâs inner circle. Sammyâs inner circle was a street gang, raised to the 10th power. In other areas, Mr Kerik insisted the fight against crime was succeeding. "The markets and shops are now bustling, there are people out after hours where four weeks ago, no-one was there," he said. "Weâre up over 5,000 police officers back on duty, actively working in the streets, and Iâd say for the most part, itâs getting much, much better." "Bad boys, bad boys, what ya gonna do, what ya gonna do when they come for you?" Posted by: Steve 2003-08-06 |
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