# Order 28: Establishment of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps

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COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY ORDER NUMBER 28
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE IRAQI CIVIL DEFENSE CORPS
Pursuant to my authority as head of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), under the
laws and usages of war, and consistent with relevant United Nations Security Council
resolutions, including Resolution 1483(2003),
Noting that Resolution 1483 appeals to Member States to assist the people of Iraq in their
efforts to reform their institutions, rebuild their country, and to contribute to conditions of
stability and security in Iraq,
Understanding the need to address promptly threats to public security and stability
resulting from wrongful acts or disasters,
Recognizing that continued attacks and acts of sabotage by Ba`athist remnants and
terrorists intent on undermining security in Iraq necessitate the temporary establishment
of an Iraqi constabulary force to operate with Coalition Forces to counter the threat and
maintain security in Iraq,
I hereby promulgate the following:
Section 1
Establishment of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps
1) The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps is established as a temporary institution, subject to a
decision by an internationally recognized, representative government, established by
the people of Iraq, to continue or disband the Corps.
2) The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps is a security and emergency service agency for Iraq.
The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps is composed of Iraqis who will complement operations
conducted by Coalition military forces in Iraq to counter organized groups and
individuals employing violence against the people of Iraq and their national
infrastructure.
3) In support of Coalition operations to provide security and stability to the people of
Iraq, the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps is authorized to perform constabulary duties,
including the following tasks: patrolling urban and rural areas; conducting operations
to search for and seize illegal weapons and other contraband; providing fixed site,
check point, area, route and convoy security; providing crowd and riot control;
disaster response services; search and rescue services; providing support to
humanitarian missions and disaster recover operations including transportation
services; conducting joint patrols with Coalition Forces; and, participating in other
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� activities designed to build positive relationships between the Iraqi people and
Coalition authorities including serving as community liaisons.
4) The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps is distinct from the Iraqi police force and the New Iraqi
Army. The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps will complement the police force, but will be
designed to perform operations that exceed the capacity of the police.
a) While on duty and under the supervision of Coalition Forces, members of the Iraqi
Civil Defense Corps will not be subject to the direction or control of the Iraqi
Police. Except as provided herein, the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps will not have, or
exercise, domestic law enforcement functions.
b) The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps is not a component of the New Iraqi Army
established by CPA Order 22, Creation of a New Iraqi Army (CPA/ORD/9 August
2003/22) and is not subject to the orders of the New Iraqi Army chain of
command.
Section 2
Organization of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps
1) The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps shall consist of active members in full-time
employment, and may also include reserve members whose service will be governed
by Administrative Instructions issued pursuant to this Order.
2) All Iraqis who meet the professional criteria established by applicable Administrative
Instructions are eligible for selection to the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, provided that
no person involved in Ba’ath Party activity within the leadership tiers described in
CPA Order Number 1, De-Ba`athification of Iraqi Society (CPA/ORD/16 May
2003/1) shall be eligible except by express decision of the CPA to grant such an
exception.
3) Service in the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps is voluntary. Volunteers for service in the
Iraqi Civil Defense Corps will be required to serve for a period of 12 months subject
to a decision either by the CPA or by an internationally recognized, representative
government, established by the people of Iraq, to discontinue the Iraqi Civil Defense
Corps. No term of service may be extended without the consent of the member of the
Iraqi Civil Defense Corps except in the case of a national emergency proclaimed
pursuant to law.
4) The Administrator of the CPA or a designee under the terms of Section 7 below shall
have final authority over the selection and appointment of members of the Iraqi Civil
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� Defense Corps and shall have the authority to dismiss such members on such grounds
as he determines to be appropriate.
5) The terms and conditions of service and organization, including rank structure, of the
Iraqi Civil Defense Corps may be further defined by Administrative Instructions,
issued by the Administrator of the CPA or a designee, as may be considered necessary
to give effect to the terms of this Order.
6) Members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps may not:
a) be members of a political party, organization or association;
b) participate in any activities of a political party, organization or association or
recruit members for political parties or organizations;
c) publicly state any opinion of a political nature that constitutes an effort to
indoctrinate members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps or any other person
with a political ideology or otherwise convince any person to adhere to a
particular political ideology;
d) advocate racial, gender or ethnic hatred or intolerance; advocate, create, or
engage in illegal discrimination based on race, color, gender, religion, or
regional origin; or use, or advocate the use of, force or violence or other
unlawful means for political purposes, whether internal or international; or
e) participate in any manner in organizations or activities that involve, promote,
or practice the conduct described in Section 2(6)(c) and (d).
Nothing in this Section shall limit the right of a member of the Iraqi Civil Defense
Corps to vote in elections for political office organized on a local, regional or
national level. Violations may result in the removal of the member from employment
in the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps.
Section 3
Authority of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps
1) Members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps may, while performing their official duties,
apprehend persons who (i) they witness committing or attempting to commit a
criminal offense, (ii) have escaped after being lawfully arrested, or (iii) otherwise
interfere with their lawful activities. Persons apprehended by the Iraqi Civil Defense
Corps must be turned over to the Iraqi police or Coalition Forces within twelve hours
of apprehension or be released. Members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps may not
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� interrogate, except under the direct supervision of Coalition Forces, or otherwise
detain persons except as provided herein.
2) When acting under the supervision of Coalition Forces, the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps
may limit access to certain areas as reasonably necessary to ensure the security of
persons or property contained in or passing through such areas.
3) Members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps may, while performing their official duties,
conduct reasonable searches for weapons or other dangerous or prohibited items (i) on
persons or vehicles entering or in designated areas, (ii) on criminal suspects incident
to apprehension, or (iii) when acting under the supervision of Coalition Forces, in
areas or buildings where dangerous or prohibited items, including prohibited
weapons, are reasonably believed to exist. Members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps
may conduct reasonable searches at established checkpoints anywhere within Iraq and
at other locations to prevent such items from being carried into, transported within, or
out of designated areas.
4) Members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps may, while performing official duties, use
force against persons or things as is reasonable and necessary under the
circumstances. However, the use of force that may be likely to cause death or serious
bodily injury is not permitted unless the member reasonably believes that using such
force is necessary to: (i) protect himself or others from the imminent use of deadly
force or force likely to cause serious bodily injury, (ii) prevent the escape of a person
suspected of committing murder or assault resulting in serious bodily injury, or (iii)
defend Coalition, ministry or governorate offices, government or state-owned
infrastructure, and fixed sites under the direction and control of Coalition or
governmental authorities, to prevent their destruction or incapacitation.
Section 4
Functioning of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps
1) The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps shall operate under the authority of the Administrator
of the CPA and shall be subject to the supervision of Coalition Forces. The
Administrator of the CPA may delegate to the senior military commander of Coalition
Forces in Iraq responsibility and authority for the recruiting, training, organization,
and control of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps. This responsibility and authority may be
redelegated pursuant to Section 7 below.
2) Operational or tactical command of units of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps operating
with Coalition Forces shall be vested in an officer of Coalition Forces designated by
the senior military commander of Coalition Forces in Iraq pursuant to Section 7
below.
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� 3) The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps will not be deployed outside the territory of Iraq,
except for training or exchange programs.
Section 5
Jurisdiction
1) Members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps will be subject to Iraqi law at all times and
the civilian criminal courts of Iraq shall have jurisdiction over offenses alleged to
have been committed by members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps. The
Administrator of the CPA may determine that offenses alleged to have been
committed by members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps while on duty may be
submitted to the Central Criminal Court of Iraq in accordance with CPA Order
Number 13 (Revised), The Central Criminal Court of Iraq (CPA/ORD/13 July
2003/13).
2) Members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps shall enjoy immunity from civil liability
for acts or omissions arising within the scope of their duties and in the conduct of
authorized operations to the same degree as other governmental officials under the
law of Iraq.
Section 6
Weapons
The possession of weapons by members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps is regulated
by CPA Order Number 3, Weapons Control Order (CPA/ORD/23 May 2003/03).
Section 7
Delegation of Authority
The Administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority may delegate
responsibilities under this Order, as determined by the Administrator, to the senior
military commander of Coalition Forces in Iraq. The senior military commander
of Coalition Forces in Iraq may further delegate responsibilities under this Order
to those under his command.
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This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work of the United States federal government (see 17 U.S.C. 105).
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