Insurgents infiltrate Iraqi police: US study [View All]

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http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N258193.htm

Insurgents infiltrate Iraqi police: US study

WASHINGTON, July 25 (Reuters) - Iraq's police service has accepted recruits with criminal backgrounds and even insurgents planning terrorist attacks because of poor vetting procedures, according to a U.S. government report released on Monday.

The 96-page report, based on a study by the Pentagon and State Department Inspector Generals' offices, said that too many recruits were "marginally literate" and some had reported for training with criminal records and physical handicaps.

"Even more troubling is infiltration by intending terrorists or insurgents. There is sufficient evidence to conclude that such persons indeed are among the ranks of the IPS (Iraq Police Service)," said the unclassified report, dated July 15.

"This underscores the need for the most rigorous review of each applicant's records," warned the new report, which came as deadly insurgent attacks mounted against police stations and recruiting depots in the troubled country.

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