MOSUL, Iraq (Army News Service, June 29, 2004) – Iraqi police from the Mosul area received 2,000 vests with protective plates June 25.

The vests were given to them by Coalition forces as part of a contract with the Office of Security Cooperation to ensure the safety of Iraqi security forces while they are protecting the local citizens.

There are about 8,870 police working in the Mosul area. Previously, Coalition forces donated almost 700 vests to the Mosul police. The 2,000 additional vests are part of an ongoing plan to provide the area security forces with the protection they need to do their jobs safely.

The armor arrived in Mosul a few days ago. It was given to the Iraqi police as soon as possible to provide protection in the event of another outbreak of violence in the days leading up to the transfer of sovereignty on June 30.

“This equipment will have a great psychological impact for the police,” said Lt. Col. Hillary Baxter, the Task Force Olympia provost marshall. “The police see Coalition forces out with body armor and kevlars on. We want them to also have the proper equipment to do their jobs safely.”

The Mosul area police are working and training to improve the security and safety of northern Iraq. According to Baxter, their performance has continuously improved over time. The police have faced numerous challenges in maintaining security in Mosul, most recently the attacks on June 24 that killed more than 70 innocent Iraqi civilians and wounded 240. Approximately 30 of the dead were Iraqi police officers who were killed in action that day.

“We have had to work hard to rebuild the police force in Ninevah,” said Maj. Abd Al Hameed Thaier, Mosul police chief of staff. “I think our policemen have become an example for all the police in Iraq.”

(Editor's note: Information submitted by Task Force Olympia Public Affairs.)