http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-884002.mp3
Kansas City, Mo. – Four executives in charge of training new Iraqi police officers came to Kansas City to see how the job is done in the United States.
The group talked with reporters under two restrictions: No questions about the war or politics.
Three generals and a colonel walked through the Kansas City Police Academy, watching defensive training. One used the word "amazing" to describe the cooperation he's seen between local and federal law agencies.
General Riyadh Abdulbaqi Salman, speaking through an interpreter, said before the U.S. invasion, police worked as army reserves and did not have much personal initiative.
"The method now is, the police officer himself has a lot of knowledge and we concentrate on the police officer's judgment," said Salman.
General Riyadh said before the war, police numbered 55,000 and operated much differently under the dictatorship. The number of police now is about 550,000.
He notes it's dangerous work. As to casualties over the past seven years, there are 14,000 dead and 30,000 wounded.