LocationsWhat used to take hours… is now done in just one minute
December 21, 2025
Digital Transformation at the Al-Saydiya Model Police Station.
In the early morning hours, a citizen arrives at the Al-Saydiya Police Station searching for an old complaint file. He expects a long wait and a painstaking search through stacks of paper archives—an experience he has grown accustomed to over the years. But this time, the experience is completely different. In less than a minute, all the case details appear on the screen, and his transaction is completed with unprecedented speed.
Mr. Ahmed Saad* shared his experience:
“I thought I would spend hours at the station, but I finished my transaction in just one minute. This is a huge difference from what it used to be.”
This simple moment reflects a deeper transformation taking place at the Al-Saydiya Model Police Station—a shift from slow, paper-based systems prone to damage and loss to a fully integrated digital system that reorganized procedures and fundamentally reshaped the citizen experience.
From Pilot to Nationwide Expansion: How Did the System Begin?
This transformation did not happen overnight.
The electronic automation system was first piloted in Iraq at the Al-Saadoun Police Station, serving as a testing ground for development and refinement. Following the success of the pilot phase, the system was gradually expanded to other police stations.
In June 2025, the system was implemented at the Al-Saydiya Police Station, becoming part of a broader national effort to modernize police services and enhance transparency, efficiency, and response times.
One System, One National Vision
The automation system electronically registers cases from the moment they arrive at the police station. This data is automatically transmitted to the Police Agency’s Information Center and the Iraqi Ministry of Interior’s Information Center, making it instantly accessible to relevant officers.
The system provides real-time data on the number, types, and proportions of cases across police stations nationwide. Daily reports are also submitted directly to the Minister of Interior, enabling immediate oversight and data-driven decision-making.
Today, approximately 80% of police stations across Iraq are connected to the system, with full nationwide coverage expected in the near future.
When Paper Was an Obstacle
For many years, paper-based records posed a major challenge at the Al-Saydiya Police Station. Searching for files was time-consuming, and investigative documents were vulnerable to damage or loss—affecting both the speed of procedures and public trust.
Sajjad Farid, a data auditor in the Automation Department, recalls:
“Before the digital transformation, work was very slow, and paper documents were constantly at risk of damage or loss. This created significant challenges for both staff and citizens.”
Transforming Daily Operations
With the introduction of the electronic system, the station’s workflow has changed dramatically. Data is now entered and verified digitally, with procedures and decisions updated on a daily basis—streamlining processes and accelerating service delivery.
Noor Hatem Karim, a data entry clerk in the Completion Committee, explains:
“Today, a citizen only needs to provide their name, and all case information appears instantly. The electronic system has significantly reduced processing time and minimized errors.” She adds, “This transformation has increased citizen satisfaction and improved women’s access to services, particularly through the availability of female staff and the integration of all relevant departments in one location.”
Internal Impact and Greater Efficiency
The benefits of the transformation extend beyond citizen services to the internal functioning of the police station.
Haidar Diaa Al-Din, a civilian employee at the Al-Saydiya Police Station, notes:
“Data is entered, verified, and sent directly to command. Once a citizen’s name is entered, all case details appear, with daily updates on procedures and decisions.”
Protecting Rights Through Better Management
From a leadership perspective, Colonel Khaldoun Ghazi, Director of the Al-Saydiya Police Station, emphasizes the system’s role in safeguarding citizens’ rights:
“Automating investigative cases ensures that citizens’ rights are not lost and enables continuous monitoring by the station and senior leadership.” He adds, “This system has allowed us to provide more transparent and efficient services while raising the overall level of performance within the station.”
Partnerships Driving Sustainable Change
This transformation was implemented in line with the directives of His Excellency the Minister of Interior to improve service delivery, transparency, and accountability. It was made possible through a strong partnership between the Iraqi Ministry of Interior and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq, with generous support from the Government of Denmark.
This partnership supported the introduction of electronic automation systems, the upgrading of infrastructure, and the creation of a safer, more inclusive service environment for citizens.
Today, the Al-Saydiya Police Station stands as a practical example of how digital transformation—backed by effective partnerships—can enhance access to justice, improve service quality, and rebuild trust between citizens and police institutions.
*Name changed to protect privacy.