Iraqi police cadets march during a graduation ceremony at the Police Academy in Baghdad.
Iraq joins International Association of Police Academies, expanding global training ties
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Interior Ministry announced Thursday that the country has officially joined the International Association of Police Academies, or INTERPA, describing the move as evidence of growing international confidence in Iraq’s security institutions and their capacity for modernization and cooperation with global training bodies.
INTERPA, based in Ankara, brings together police academies and security training institutions from around the world to exchange knowledge, expertise, and best practices in law enforcement education. The organization works to strengthen international cooperation, develop trainers and curricula, and improve the efficiency of police institutions through joint programs and information sharing.
The ministry said in a statement that Iraq’s accession “is a new achievement that adds to the ministry’s record of success in strengthening Iraq’s presence regionally and internationally.”
It added that the decision followed “the continuous efforts and guidance” of Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, who has sought to expand cooperation with global law enforcement institutions and establish Iraq as “an active partner in the international system of police training and exchange of expertise.”
According to the statement, joining INTERPA marks “an important step toward advancing academic and training standards for police personnel, developing modern curricula, and enhancing the efficiency of Interior Ministry educational institutions in line with international standards in security, crime prevention, and human rights protection.”
The ministry expressed gratitude to those who supported the effort and reaffirmed its commitment “to continue working as one team in service of Iraq’s security and its people.”