How security guards became killers

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http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/HK10Ak01.html

BAGHDAD - The Facilities Protection Service (FPS) created after the invasion of Iraq in 2003 has become the principal incubator of death squads in Iraq, senior leaders say.

One of the first decisions that the US occupation authorities and the Iraqi leaders working with them made was that each ministry could establish its own protection force independent of the control of the ministries of Interior and Defense.

Under Coalition Provisional Authority Order Number 27, the FPS was established on April 10, 2003, the day after the fall of Baghdad. This document states: "The FPS may also consist of employees of private security firms who are engaged to perform services for the ministries or governorates through contracts, provided such private security firms and employees are licensed and authorized by the Ministry of Interior."

Globalsecurity.org, a US-based security research group, says: "The Facilities Protection Service works for all ministries and governmental agencies, but its standards are set and enforced by the Ministry of the Interior. It can also be privately hired. The FPS is tasked with the fixed-site protection of ministerial, governmental, or private buildings, facilities and personnel."

The security website adds: "The majority of the FPS staff consists of former service members and former security guards. The FPS will now secure public facilities such as hospitals, banks and power stations within their district. Once trained, the guards work with US military forces protecting critical sites like schools, hospitals and power plants."