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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Iran police to set up voluntary special force

2009-07-11

[Iran Press TV Latest] Tehran police is planning to set up a 50,000-strong special constable-like force called the 'honorary police officers' to provide assistance to the police support units.

Tehran Police Chief Brigadier General Azizollah Rajabzadeh revealed the plans during a press conference on Friday. "After selection and training, these individuals will be equipped and deployed in police stations and with police support units," Rajabzadeh said, Jam-e-jam Online reported.

The voluntary force will be set up first in Tehran, but according to Rajabzadeh the concept might be expanded nationwide. "The police force seeks to utilize people's participation in ensuring security for themselves, and it is with this aim that we are trying to expand the honorary police force up to 300,000 throughout the country," he elaborated.

Posted by:Fred

#3 Good question. I think it has to do partly with the hash-up the Iranian central and local governments did with the demonstrations. Despite the government's belief that "their people would never do such awful things" that happened in the recent demonstrations; that radicals and militants were responsible, they can't prove that. The easiest thing to do is to kinda-sorta hide the Basiij, reduce their profile, and put a better trained force in their place.

Another reason could be that it puts a security force in place that's not beholden to the IRGC, nor the mullahs (not to mention being a jobs program of sorts for the non-urban Iranians).

It also could be that it's in imitation of China, where PLA troops have donned police uniforms in order to deal with civic unrest. In this case, reliable elements of the IRGC.

Posted by: Pappy 2009-07-11 22:35

#2 How would this differ from the Basiij?

Posted by: Glenmore 2009-07-11 11:13

#1 If you like beating and killing women, Uncle Khamani Wants YOU!

Posted by: OldSpook 2009-07-11 10:17

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