Community police now cover more than two-thirds of Baghdad schools, ministry says

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Interior Ministry said Thursday that community police now cover more than two-thirds of schools in Baghdad and other governorates, focusing on child protection, school dropout prevention and family mediation.

Brig. Ali Ajmi Rasool, director of the Community Police Directorate, told the Iraqi News Agency that units deployed across Iraq monitor school dropout and homelessness cases through field visits, working with the Ministry of Education, school administrations and educational researchers to address students’ behavioral problems.

Awareness campaigns include seminars and workshops in residential neighborhoods to promote child protection and prevent exploitation and child labor, Rasool said. Homeless individuals are referred to relevant authorities for shelter and reintegration.

Rasool said the directorate’s role “is not limited to the security aspect, but extends to humanitarian dimensions aimed at preventing crime before it occurs.” He added that handling family complaints follows an approach of “restorative justice” aimed at reducing divorce rates and preserving family unity rather than criminal investigation.

Civil society organizations, both local and international, support the directorate through staff training and development, he said.