Instead, the transition between the U.S. military and the State
Department began in August. So far, 10 training facilities have been
transferred from ITAM to INL, and the rest would come under State Department
responsibility in October.
The State Department has also taken over security for U.S. diplomats and
other government personnel in Iraq. Officials said the department has
drafted a plan for a force of 5,000 to protect the U.S. embassy and
consulates.
"Using on-the-job mentoring and advising, the INL advisors will work
side by side their Iraqi counterparts on key issues of importance," Smith
said. "This approach will develop personal relationships, build trust and
enable access to key Ministry of Interiors officials."
Officials said the State Department was deploying veteran law
enforcement officers to serve as advisers to the Iraqi security forces,
particularly commanders and senior officers. They said many of the trainers
were specialists in communications and forensics and assigned to complete a
program to make the Iraqis self-sufficient.
"Our mission is a refinement mission," INL police development program
director Audie Holloway said. "Theirs [ITAM] was a building mission. We
would not have had the manpower to
accomplish what they have."