This was announced by the National Commission tasked to follow up on the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry(BICI).
"The office will be set up outside the Interior Ministry, as a separate entity independent of the Ministry’s hierarchical control, " the commission said in its statement.
It further added, "The office should also promulgate and enforce police professional standards and carry out legal and sensitivity training for police officers."
The new Inspector General’s office will be able to receive individual or organizational complaints, protect the safety and privacy of the complainants, carry out independent investigations and have the authority to conduct disciplinary and criminal proceedings as required by International protocols.
The Commission stated that relevant decree and order to set up both the Ombudsman and the Internal Affairs department are being drafted in consultation with supercops from U.S. and UK such as John Yates and John Timoney.
The Interior Minister on Jan. 30 approved a new Code of Conduct for Bahraini Police based on various international policing codes, including the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the European Code of Police Conduct.
It adopts the "principles-based" approach, setting out the broad duties of police officers in relation to various aspects of their work, including the use of force, respect for human rights and maintaining the rule of law.
