For young people aged 16–24
Cadet & internship program
Twelve weeks. Seven directorates. One certificate. A chance to see public safety from the inside and decide whether a career in service might be for you.
12
Weeks
3
Cohorts a year
40+
Cadets per cohort
What you'll do
Foundations
Weeks 1–2- Orientation, oath of conduct, uniform issue
- Constitution & Kurdistan Region civil law primer
- First aid certification (basic life support)
Community policing
Weeks 3–5- Shadow neighbourhood patrols (day shift only)
- School-safety workshops with primary schools
- Conflict de-escalation and active-listening labs
Investigation & forensics
Weeks 6–8- Crime-scene preservation simulations
- Digital evidence handling and chain of custody
- Visit to the regional forensic laboratory
Emergency response
Weeks 9–10- 122 command-centre observer rotation
- Tabletop disaster response exercise
- Search & rescue field day with K9 unit
Capstone project
Weeks 11–12- Group safety-research project on a community issue
- Public presentation to district command
- Graduation ceremony and reference letter
What you'll get
Certified completion
Recognised certificate co-signed by the Directorate of Public Affairs.
Career insight
Hands-on exposure to seven directorates within Asaish over twelve weeks.
Mentorship
Each cadet is paired with a serving officer for the duration of the cohort.
Daily stipend
Modest travel and meal stipend so the program is open to every applicant.
Reference letter
Personalised letter on completion, useful for university and job applications.
Recruitment fast-track
Graduates who later apply to the academy skip the first screening round.
Eligibility
- Aged 16 to 24 on the start date of the cohort
- Resident of the Erbil Governorate (proof of address required)
- Currently enrolled in or graduated from secondary school
- Conversational in Kurdish or Arabic (English is a plus)
- Clean criminal record and two character references
- Medical clearance for moderate physical activity
Frequently asked
Is the program paid?
It is a learning program, not employment. A daily stipend covers travel and meals so cost is never a barrier.
Do cadets carry firearms?
No. Cadets do not carry any weapon and never participate in armed operations or arrests.
Are women welcome?
Yes — we aim for at least 40% female representation in every cohort, with female mentors available.
What about school exams?
Cohorts are scheduled around the Kurdistan school calendar. Reasonable accommodations are made for ongoing studies.
Applications open year-round
Spring cohort starts in March, summer in July, autumn in October. Apply at least six weeks before your preferred start date.