'Administration of Mesopotamia. Fortnightly Report by the Civil Commissioner, No. 17 (1st - 15th July [1918]) [‎93v] (4/6)

(2) To make provision for the hearing of cases relating to the family law of
Shi'ahs in accordance with Shi'ah law, and to associate Shi'ahs with
the Government by the starting of a Shiah branch of the Judicial
Department.
(3) To establish a local Court of Revision for the Sunni Mohammedan Law Courts
of the Baghdad Vilayet.
The progress would have been more rapid but for the difficulty of finding natives
suitable for judicial appointment. The number who are both competent in knowledge
and character is not large, and of these the majority are either interned or are
unwilling to accept service at the present time.
The limited number of suitable candidates available for judicial appointments
will be a serious difficulty in the way of the extension of the judicial system during
the war.
III.—C ivil Police.
12. The police have been reorganised with effect from 1st April, the cadres in
Basrah and Baghdad being separated.
In Baghdad, Kadhimain, Muazzam and Karada, previously under the direct
orders of the Commissioner of Police and independent of Baghdad, have been brought
within the Baghdad Police area under the Deputy Commissioner of Police, and a
reduction of two officers effected thereby. The size of the force has been substantially
reduced, and the pay increased. The number of British ranks employed with the
Police has been increased with excellent results, those selected having proved keen
and capable. The force is now nearly up to strength fit was seldom above half its
strength previous to these changes).
A police training school has been started where the men are instructed in drill,
gymnastics, &c., their powers and duties as police officers, reading and writing in
Arabic. A class for elementary first aid has been started. A class Lor Inspectors and
Head Constables in police duties is being held ; examinations take place periodically.
Law will be taught as soon as the code is introduced.
A Local Criminal Intelligence Bureau has been formed, and, although yet in its
infancy, has justified its existence. A Finger-print Bureau has also been formed—
in course of time should prove useful. A system of registration and surveillance
of habitual criminals has also been introduced.
The 42 Egyptians working in the Police were found unsatisfactory, and have
been returned to their units. Indians have been eliminated as much as possible from
the 1'olice Force. Onty two now remain, one being a Parsee Inspector who is acting
as Assistant Instructor in the Training School, the other being a finger-print expert.
There arc, however, two Indian clerks in the office of the Commissioner of Police. It
may now be said the whole Force consists of natives of the country controlled by
British officers.
IV.—Finance Branch.
13. The main functions of the Finance Branch are :—
(а) Preparation of accounts showing the revenue and expenditure of the Civil
• Administration from month to month.
(б) 1 he preliminary scrutiny (audit) of all accounts before submission to the
Controller of War Accounts for final audit.
(c) Control of expenditure.
I t. All officers in charge of civil funds are required to forward simple cash
accounts e\ery month recording chronologically their receipts and expenditure.
In laige stations, where there are several officers receiving and disbursing
lovernment funds, all the accounts are kept by a Treasurv Officer who receives all
Grovernment dues and makes all payments on behalf of the officers concerned. This
relieves the officers concerned of the technical supervision of accounts, and also
Co icentiates all available Government balances in convenient centres.