Feuding between Iraqi army and police slows security turnover

Separated by tribal and regional differences, and a personality clash between top officers, the two branches of the Iraqi security forces have largely refused to coordinate their activities.

For the Marines, the situation is a major stumbling block toward their goal of turning security responsibility for Anbar province over to Iraqis as quickly as possible.

"This is our way out," said Col. Patrick Malay, commander of the 5th Marine Regiment. But for now, he said, the Marines are forced to serve as a bridge between two feuding sides.

Rawah is not alone. Although there are areas in the province where the Iraqi police and army are working well together -- Fallouja, for example -- in many places they are not, U.S. officials say.

As his forces assume responsibility for a wide swath of Anbar province, Malay has focused on getting the Iraqis to work together.

In Fallouja, his regimental predecessor, Col. Lawrence Nicholson, finally used a line from the Nike commercial in telling the Iraqis to stop feuding and start cooperating: Just do it.

"It's a struggle everywhere," Malay said.

In Rawah (population 18,000), the idea of cooperation has proved a particularly hard sell, although there has been progress.

The area is home to a large number of retired Baathist government officials who have an affinity for the army but an animosity toward the police. In the era of Saddam Hussein, the army enjoyed greater status and viewed local police as unprofessional.

Recently the Iraqi police were given a radio by the Iraqi army to use in communicating with their outposts -- a small but significant gesture toward a cooperative approach.

"It's in their best interest to realize that, but it's just taking time," said Capt. Adam Gross, who has been working for months to bring the two sides together.

There have been some joint operations, including one that uncovered a cache of Italian land mines. The Marines helped plan the mission but then stood back and let the two Iraqi forces carry it out.

But overall, relations between the army and police remain chilly -- "challenging and distrustful," according to a Marine document.

Marines are concerned that if they leave prematurely, the army and police would cease all cooperation and create a schism in the region that could erupt into violence and allow insurgents to reassert control.

Asked about the rift, a young police officer at the Rawah compound said of the Iraqi army, "They do not respect us. They think they know everything."

But army Brig. Gen. Ayad Ismael complained that police units are often staffed by untrained, undisciplined youths recruited by tribal sheiks.

"We are professionals. They are often not," he said.

Many of the police officers wear ski masks to hide their identities, undercutting their credibility with the army and the public.