Egypt's Shura Council calls for police reshuffle

Shura Council member Saad Emmara has announced the body will begin discussions aimed at restructuring the country’s police force, amid an ongoing impasse over ways to quell civil disobedience in the streets. New laws could allow civilians – including university graduates – to work alongside police ranks after training. “Including civilians in the police could ease the burden on our security forces, allowing them to focus on policing the streets,” Emmara claimed. However some opposition leaders claim the scheme aims at giving the Muslim Brotherhood greater control over Egypt’s security forces. Interior Ministry assistant and security expert Major General Farouk al-Megrahi recently confirmed a bill for restructuring the police had been drafted by Brotherhood members.