Canada to deploy more police officers to Iraq

August 9, 2017 – Ottawa, Canada – Global Affairs Canada

Canada is committed to supporting a stable and diverse Iraq—particularly in areas recently liberated from Daesh.

Through the International Police Peacekeeping and Peace Operations program, police officers from across Canada support efforts to build a more secure world through peace operations and other stabilization efforts.

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie; and the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, today announced that Canada will be deploying up to 20 police officers to Iraq. This announcement is part of Canada’s comprehensive strategy in the Middle East to defeat Daesh and to support stability in the region. The deployments form part of Canada’s contributions to the broader efforts of the Global Coalition Against Daesh.

Canadian police officers will support efforts to help re-establish a local police presence in newly liberated areas, establish greater capabilities, and provide strategic advice to Iraqi police on issues related to gender, diversity and human rights within their communities. For example, Canadian police officers will deliver training courses on community-based policing to enable Iraqi police officers to engage all segments of the communities they serve, including women and children.

There are currently three Canadian police officers deployed to Iraq and a fourth deployment is planned for the coming month. Canadian police officers are being deployed in a gradual, phased and flexible approach until March 2019.

The Government of Canada recognizes the bravery, service, and sacrifice of Canada’s women and men in uniform serving abroad.

 

Quotes

“Canadian police officers play a key role in the support we provide to people and regions affected by conflict. Today’s announcement will contribute to the needed stabilization of Iraq and will help establish a more secure environment in Iraqi communities that were affected by Daesh.”

– Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs

“Through its new Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada will continue to uphold human dignity and speak out for the most vulnerable, including women and girls, who are among the most severely affected by the conflict in Iraq. This mission provides Canadian policewomen with a unique opportunity to train and advise Iraqi police officers and contribute positively to creating longer-term stability, security and prosperity.”

– Hon. Marie-Claude Bibeau, P.C., M.P., Minister of International Development and La Francophonie

“Progress has been made in Iraq with the liberation of Mosul, and Canada remains fully committed to supporting the Iraqi government and its people. Canada’s policing contribution will be targeted at building key capacities of Iraqi security institutions and enhancing local policing skill sets, including in areas such as community policing.”

– Hon. Ralph Goodale, P.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Quick Facts

  • Canadian police are being deployed through the Global Coalition against Daesh, including to the Italian-led Carabinieri police training mission. Canada may also deploy some of the 20 Canadian police officers to Iraq under other international organizations and initiatives.
  • There are approximately 600,000 Iraqi police officers, of whom 10,000 to 12,000 are women.
  • In areas occupied by Daesh, 85% to 100% of police infrastructure was destroyed.
  • On February 8, 2016, the Government of Canada announced its strategy to address the crises in Iraq and Syria, which includes support for local security forces and for law enforcement capacity building and training.
  • The International Police Peacekeeping and Peace Operations program is the mechanism through which up to 150 Canadian police officers are deployed annually to peace-support operations and other stabilization efforts. Police officers from participating police services across Canada apply voluntarily for these deployments. The program is a partnership among Global Affairs Canada, Public Safety Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

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