First Women Officers Graduate From Kirkuk Police Academy

The women hope their example will make communities more open and allow women to become more involved in society.

Mirvat Amin fires an AK-47 during weapons training at the Kirkuk Police Academy. Amin went through the noncommissioned officers’ course, and is one of the first women to graduate from the academy. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Amanda Morrissey)

The Iraqi Police Academy graduated its first women in ceremonies on June 5, 2007, in Kirkuk.
Defend America reported:

KIRKUK, Iraq, June 5, 2007 — The first women to train at Kirkuk Police Academy were among the 980 police officers and noncommissioned officers (NCOs) to graduate from the academy, June 3, 2007.

Nisreen Hama Amin and Mirvat Amin, no relation, have joined their male counterparts in donning the blue uniform of the Iraqi police force to answer what they see as the patriotic call to duty.

“I want to help the people and do something good for my country,” Nisreen said. “I saw female police officers in Irbil and other places, and decided that this was the way to do it.”

Nisreen, who graduated from the basic police course, is new to the field of police work while Mirvat, a graduate of the NCO course, has nearly three years of experience working with the Iraqi police. Although female police officers may still be uncommon in Iraq, they provide a vital function within the police force in dealings with civilian women.

“The Iraqi police need female officers to be fully effective,” said Staff Sgt. Amaury Garcia, an adviser with the police transition team from Forward Operating Base Warrior…

Nisreen and Mirvat trained separately from their male counterparts, going to the shooting range and attending classes geared specifically toward them. However, they say the separate training has not made them feel isolated from the other officers in their graduating class.

“These are our brothers, all of them,” Mirvat said. “They have been supportive of us and accepted us. We felt like we were a part of a family.

“Our instructors are capable and qualified, and have my deepest appreciation,” Mirvat added. “They spent so much energy to educate and train us, and we would not have been able to graduate without them.”

Their families have also been important in Mirvat’s and Nisreen’s success. While worried about the dangers the women will face in the line of duty, their families have supported their commitment to become police officers, Mirvat said.

The graduation, while a significant milestone, is only the beginning of their career aspirations. Nisreen would like to attend the NCO course at the academy, while Mirvat would like to work her way up the ranks and someday be a lieutenant. They are also aware of the example they are setting for other women and girls in their city.

“We would like our country to reach the same level of acceptance that other countries have already achieved,” Mirvat said. “I hope our example will make communities more open and allow women to become more involved in society.”


Nisreen Hama Amin accepts a graduation gift from Maj. Gen. Anwar, 2nd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division commander, during a graduation ceremony at the Kirkuk Police Academy. Nisreen is one of the first women to graduate from academy. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Amanda Morrissey)

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