Confusion heralds first patrols by US-Iraqi police

The ride was unexpected and unofficial, and no law enforcement whatsoever took place. But it was an opportunity to witness one of the first police patrols in Baghdad since the American occupation.

The US military authorities had asked for 100 of Baghdad's law enforcement officers to attend the National Police Academy to launch joint US-Iraqi patrols to restore calm. Nearly 2,000 officers, serving and retired, turned up and the scene soon degenerated into confusion. Many refused to go out on patrol because the Americans did not want them to carry side arms. "That may work in Britain," said Major Hamed Hassan, 50. "But here the criminals have guns."

A few officers finally went off on their own. Three unmarked cars headed out. One stopped. The driver leant out to ask if I wanted a "free tour". The men in the car – Omar, Hamid and a third who did not want his name mentioned – were in civilian clothes. They worked for Internal Security.

"Don't be alarmed by that title," said Omar. "We are just ordinary policemen. We are not Mukhabarat [the old regime's secret police]. We are not bad people."

Since we were in unmarked cars, I ventured that potshots were less likely. Omar shrugged: "But everyone knows the police use these white Nissan Maximas. Don't worry though, we are not totally without protection." He showed me his Makarov pistol.Hamid tried reassurance: "Civilians use these cars too. There is every chance the criminals won't recognise us."

Omar, 34, and Hamid, 36, were both lieutenants. The third man, who was 44 and almost monosyllabic, was more senior. All three were glad the regime had fallen, but were shocked by the lawlessness.

At Tahariya Square they spotted a man. "He is a robber, his father was a robber, and his grandfather too," said Omar. "Saddam released all people like him in the amnesty, and now they are looting and killing."

At my request we drove to Mukhabarat headquarters in Mansur, bombed by the Americans and ransacked by the people. Even now groups were turning up to scavenge.

"Do you know, I have never, ever been in here," said Omar. "Outsiders think that just because we are all part of security we are all the same. But we were nothing to these people."

On Jadariya Road, a US checkpoint had recovered, among other items, two looted toilet bowls. Transport for booty had included stolen cars, a bus and a fire engine. When we reached the outskirts of Saddam City, a Shia slum on the edge of the capital, gunfire broke out. All three policemen insisted we were the targets.

Back in central Baghdad a US captain, Frank Thorp, would not say whether any of the officers selected for patrol were Baath party members. He identified them only as "people who are interested in creating infrastructure and hoping for a better Baghdad and better Iraq". He added that local people had also formed neighbourhood watches.

"Oh, we know about that," said Omar. "These are people who used to report straight to the Mukhabarat. Maybe they have found another master."