America's North Shore Journal

The Baghdad Police College graduated 490 new Iraqi Policewomen at a ceremony here Jan. 26. The women voluntarily stepped forward to serve and protect Iraq, its people and its Constitution. Among their first duties, the new graduates will serve front-line roles providing security for the Jan. 31 election.

“This is something I have waited for…this day. I am very happy to be a policewoman now and to serve our people,” said Sasha, one of the graduates of the largest female class ever to graduate from BPC.

After the ceremony, the new policewomen celebrated by chanting slogans and proudly thrusting their arms in the air. The smiles on their faces told the story of their accomplishments.

“We feel proud and happy that we are bringing new opportunity to Iraqi women today, and more women will follow us,” said Aseel, another new policewoman. Another graduate said she joined the police to serve with her husband, also a policeman.

Iraqi Minister of Interior Jawad Bolani congratulated the new graduates for “taking another step towards rebuilding Iraqi security.” He said they represent another significant accomplishment for the Ministry of Interior in continuing to further improve security in Iraq.

“These women are now sharing duties with the policemen to bring a new day of prosperity to Iraq,” said Bolani. “You are now qualified to defend Iraq, to protect our liberties, Iraqi laws, Constitution and human dignity.”

Bolani also thanked Coalition forces and trainers at Baghdad Police College for their support in making this course a success.

Iraqi Police Col. Sabah Hashim, Director of Training at the Police Qualification Center, said the women received training in checkpoint security, police operations, and Iraqi law and are qualified to serve in the same capacity as the men. Hashim went on to say the women will serve throughout the nation with Iraqi Police, Border Police and other directorates as required.

U.S. Army Col. Larry Saunders, senior advisor for the Baghdad Police College Transition Team, said the graduation clearly speaks to Minister Bolani’s commitment to distribute opportunity equally among genders in Iraq. He said the women completed the same basic recruit training course as male Shurta with instruction in ethics, human rights, police operations and firearms training.

“They graduated in time to serve in important roles during the election security process, thus combining two very important symbols of freedom: equal opportunity and the right to elect your political leaders,” said Saunders. The BPC-TT provides vital United States and Coalition assistance and training to the BPC and the Iraqi police forces, thereby supporting Iraq in its efforts to maintain security and stability in Iraq.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mike Milano, Deputy Commanding General of Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq’s Directorate of Interior Affairs, which provides training support to the Interior Ministry, said, “This first, all-female graduating class shows the wonderful progress the Ministry of Interior has made as it works to increase diversity in the Iraqi Police.”

Many other dignitaries attended the ceremony, including the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Nawal Mageed al Samarai, and Parliament member Sammera al Mossawi, head of the Council of Representatives’ committee on Women’s Rights and Family.

Al Samarai thanked the Interior Ministry for their new plan of providing more female police. She congratulated the graduates and urged them to be honest and to respect human rights and women’s rights.

“By your service, you will create more opportunity for more women to serve their homeland and help bring security to our country,” said al Samarai.

MNF-I