Coll 30/210(2) 'Bahrein Oil: Employment of U.S.Provost Personnel for Control of American labour.' [‎33v] (68/1013)

Early in 194*4- it became obvious that something would
have to be done to control various unruly American elements in
Bahrein, in particular employees of the Berchtel-McCone-Parsons
Corporation engaged in refinery construction, and American Merchant
Seamen, (For exanples of the difficulties that arose see Ecfc.3168/44,
Ext. 3169/44 and Ext. 4772/44)* As these men are civilians they
are not subject to American military law, and could not be controlled
by U.S. Provost personnel as was originally suggested (Ext.2114/44,
E^t. 2768/44, Ext. 3166/44 fiuid Ext. 3502/44)* It was obviously
impossible for the local Arab police to deal with them unaided
(Ext.2829/44) and it was considered that though there was a
great deal to be said for letting the Americans control their
own "roughs”, yet H.M.G. was responsible to some extent for law
and order in Bahrein, and particularly for the control of
foreigners (Ext.3905/44). Paiforce proved unable to supply
military police on a permanent basis, and a suggestion that
suitable men should be recruited from the National Fire Service
proved unworkable (Ext.3543/44, flags X and Y).
It was therefore decided that eight policemen, one
inspector, one sergeant and six constables, should be recruited
in this country and seconded for service under the Bahrein
Government, conditions of service being based on those of the
Palestine Police (Ext.4309/44, flag Z, Ext.5673/44, flag C).
The Home Office were approached (Ext. 4309/44), and although
rather dubious of the result, agreed to circulate Police Forces
in the United Kingdom (Ext.304^/45 and flag A). In the event
173 applications were received, and that in spite of the fact
that the men were told they could not take their wives and
families with them. The applicants were shortlisted to 27
(flag B) who were interviewed at the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. on March 28th
and 29th. * One inspector, one sergeant and six constables were
selected with an inspector, a sergeant and three constables as
second choice (Ext.1306/455* One constable scratched later,
and the inspector failed to pass the ffledical Board. The final
choice was therefore an inspector from the Metropolitan Police,
a sergeant from the Northamptonshire Constabulary, two constables
from the Metropolitan Police, two from the Birmingham City Police,
and one each from the Surrey Police and the Worcestershire
Constabulary. Details of their qualifications will be found
in the papers immediately below Ext. 2963 / 45 .
Sumner and winter police uniforms, etc., have been
supplied by Messrs. Hobson and Sons, Limited (Ext. 2901/45 and
Ext. 3l6l/45) and the men left this country cm the 1st August
for Egypt, whence they are to travel by Nairn transport to Iraq
and so to Bahrein by sea (flag D).
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