Private Iraqi security force proposed
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Officials at the Pentagon are informally considering a proposal to hand over some police powers to a private Iraqi security force largely composed of former military personnel, U.S. military sources said Friday.
This private force might be trained and equipped to take over responsibility for guarding commercial and government sites against looting and other criminal activity, officials said.
No decision has been made yet on the plan, first proposed by the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad.
But if approved, the security force might take over duties at such locations as museums, power plants, pipelines and government ministries.
U.S. officials hope this would not only free up military and coalition troops from guard duties, but also put more of an "Iraqi face" on the society, thereby easing tensions.
It is not known how large the security force might be. The plan calls for the officers to be equipped solely with small arms.
Sources also told CNN there have been informal discussions with Kroll Inc., an international security consulting firm, about hiring it to develop and conduct the training program.
