HAMPSHIRE'S top police officer will make recommendations to the government about how to rebuild the Iraqi police force following a week-long visit to the country.

Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan was the only Hampshire representative sent to the war-torn country to examine the state of the "corrupt" police force.

During his stay he was given a first-hand look at how Iraqi people are rebuilding their lives with the help of British and American troops.

The trip, on which he was accompanied by a superintendent from North Wales and a foreign office diplomat, began in Basra, at the international airport which is a temporary home to the British Army troops who remain there.

He told the Daily Echo how life was slowly restoring and the local people were responding well to a British presence that is trying to implement law and order.

Mr Kernaghan then found himself staying in one of Saddam's luxurious palaces during a five-day stay in the capital of Baghdad, where he spoke to Iraqi police.

He said: "When I say the word police it does not conjure up the same image as what you would immediately think of over here.

"They are corrupt. They would not investigate a crime unless you bribed them. They are a major issue.

"During my time there I spoke to a senior Iraqi police officer who pointed at his uniform and told me this was Saddam's uniform. When people see it they think of Saddam. It was very militaristic. They are not there to serve the community, they are there to serve Saddam and his cronies. It was a very bizarre situation."

The city of Baghdad is completely different from Southampton, said Mr Kernaghan.

"You just can't compare the two. Baghdad is much, much bigger, it's huge. There is life and vitality in Southampton whereas Baghdad is a very tense city.

Apart from the lengthy report to the government, it's back to business for Mr Kernaghan, who said: "I know where my priorities lie and that is with Hampshire and Isle of Wight police.

"It was an absolute experience, but I have no plans to return."