Women Ascend to Iraq’s Elite Police Officer Corps

[ccharles000]

BAGHDAD — As one, the stony faces broke into a free-for-all of kisses, hugs and tears on Monday as the 50 women who called themselves the Lioness group became the first female graduates of Iraq’s police officer training academy.

On a vast concrete parade ground, the women joined 1,050 male classmates in what American military officers, who provided advice on the training, called a step forward for the country and its women.

“Some people have a view of Iraqi women that for them to join the police academy is a shame,” said Alla Nozad Falih, 22, wearing a star on her epaulet that marked her as a first lieutenant. Like about half of the group’s members, she wore her hair uncovered except by a uniform blue beret, and like 26 of her female classmates, she joined the academy after finishing law school.

The job of officer in the national police force is among the highest paying available in Iraq, but also one of the most dangerous; officers and trainees are favorite targets of insurgents.

“It’s been my desire since I was a kid to be a police officer, and now I am one,” Lieutenant Falih said. “We are proud to be officers, and we encourage other women to be officers because it’s a great job.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/10/world/middleeast/10iraq.html?_r=2&hp

[paulsby]

1. well that certainly rocks

i don't have anything more to say than that.

[demosincebirth]

2. They have to be brave to want a job like that, in Iraq. Good luck to all of them!