Police (Kurdistan Region)
| Kurdistan Region Police پۆلیس هەرێمی کوردستان Polîs Herêmî Kurdistan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Motto | 'The Citizen Is Our Priority'[1] |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Kurdistan Region of Iraq |
| Legal jurisdiction | Kurdistan Region of Iraq |
| Governing body | Kurdistan Regional Government |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Overseen by | Ministry of Interior (KRG) |
| Website | |
| https://services.gov.krd/en/taxonomy/term/133 | |
Police in the Kurdistan Region (Kurdish: پۆلیس هەرێمی کوردستان, romanized: Polîs Herêmî Kurdistan) serve as the autonomous region's primary civil law enforcement body, distinct from other institutions such as the Peshmerga (military forces), the Asayish (domestic security agency), Zerevani (gendarmerie), and Parastin u Zanyari (foreign intelligence).[2]
The Kurdish police handle civil and traffic enforcement, environmental and forest protection, immigration control, and the security of critical infrastructure such as oil and gas facilities, utilities, hospitals, and other public institutions, sharing some of these responsibilities with the Asayish, which in addition carries out specialized operations such as against terrorism and drug trafficking. At times, the police is also supported by the Zerevani.[2]
Legal jurisdiction
Crimes committed outside the Kurdistan Region but apprehended within it are handed over to the Iraqi Federal Police, while crimes committed within the Region, whether by outsiders or not, are handled by the Kurdistan Region Police.[3]
During the war against the Islamic State, the Kurdistan Region expanded its control over large parts of the disputed territories. Subsequently, Kurdistan Region police forces were deployed outside the Region's formal boundaries, for example to Tuz Khurmatu.[4]
Women also serve in the police force.[2]
See also
References
- ^ "KRG Launches Second Phase of Police Reform Centered on Citizens' Rights".
- ^ a b c Chapman, Dennis P. (2009). Security forces of the Kurdistan regional government (PDF).
- ^ "Kurdistan Region Police: Coordination with Federal and Interpol Police Ensures Suspects Are Handled Properly". Channel8. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "پۆلیسی هەرێمی کوردستان لە خورماتوو جێگیرکران". rudaw.net. Retrieved 26 January 2026.