11 February 2010 / SEDAT GÜNEÇ , ANKARA
The National Police Department has decided to a send a riot police team to quake-devastated Haiti to prevent increasing disorder and looting in the country. It is estimated that 150,000 people died in a magnitude 7 earthquake that hit Port-au-Prince last month.
Chaos, mostly caused by looting and the irregular distribution of humanitarian aid, following the disaster still persists in Haiti. Police forces of many countries previously deployed by the United Nations have already left the country. Thirteen of 52 Turkish police officers deployed to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) also recently returned to Turkey.The UN has requested additional forces from numerous countries to cope with chaos in the country. Upon the UN’s request, Turkey is preparing to send a riot team of 140 riot police officers to Port-au-Prince. The team is planning to stay in the quake-stricken country for five years.
The police officers will be selected from experienced staff currently employed in big cities such as İstanbul, İzmir and Ankara. The team will be headed by a unit chief, and it will be under the command of the UN. While police officers will continue to receive their salaries from the National Police Department, they will also be paid by the UN.
