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The mission of Brotherhood
Of The Badge International is to collect surplus police equipment
(such as ballistic vests and helmets) from police departments around
the country and deliver it to US military authorities in Iraq and
Afghanistan. They then provide this vital personal protection equipment
to the civilian police personnel.
Brotherhood of the Badge International has a singular goal of assisting our brother peace officers worldwide with equipment and the necessary tools required to stand fast, and be that wire that separates the wolves from the sheep.
http://www.ksee24.com/news/local/15571232.html (Click On Above Link) Members of the Fresno-based "Brotherhood of the Badge" traveled to Afghanistan lastweek to assess needs of the war-torn country's police and firefighters and then help. "They don't have any equipment there. Imagine going to a battle or a suicide bombing where the vehicle is on fire and you have very little or even no equipment," said Ken Shockley, spokesman for the Fresno Fire Department. It’s the same concept that fuels "Brotherhood of the Badge." The non-profit organization was born in 2003 when veteran Fresno police officer Michael Harris recognized the need to equip Iraqi police. "They're expected to do the same job in a worse scenario with less to work with," Harris said. “One police officer will usually come to the aid of another police officer. Across the world, no matter where we live, we have a common bond.” (Click on above news link for the complete article and news footage) Congress Recognizing the significance of the contribution of the Brotherhood of the Badge
Brotherhood of the Badge Backs Iraqi Commission
on Public Integrity Today the latest team traveling to the Middle East representing the Brotherhood of the Badge (BotB) returned home from another successful mission. Board members Mike Harris, Ken Shockley, and advisory committee members Jerry Duncan, and Fresno Fire Chief Randy Bruegman traveled to the Middle East in hopes of establishing a permanent shipping conduit into Iraq and conducting an equipment needs assessment for Iraqi public safety officials. Security concerns required that BotB meet with officials from the U.S. Office of Accountability and Transparency (OAT) in Jordan, to further discuss Iraqi needs. Officials expressed an urgent need to equip a new law Iraqi law enforcement agency, the "Commission on Public Integrity (CPI)". The role of the U.S. Office of Accountability & Transparency is to build the capacity of Iraq's anti-corruption agencies through police and investigative training and mentoring. However, budget limitations preclude the O.A.T.'s ability to provide much in the way of logistical and hardware support. As a result, the Brotherhood of the Badge was asked to provide materiel and equipment such as body armor, uniforms and radios to CPI. The ability of the Iraqis to stand up and fight corruption that diverts money and equipment to the insurgents is an essential element in protecting American troops and restoring a functional government in Iraq. Please find attached a photo of the Commission on Public Integrity (CPI) protection staff wearing the body armor donated by the Brotherhood of the Badge. As illustrated, our Iraqi partners do not have the resources needed to stand up to the insurgents or criminal gangs that are undermining efforts to build a functional democratic government. Additionally, below is a detailed account of Iraqi Democracy in Action, as explained to Brotherhood of the Badge. Recently a small, peaceful, dignified protest that received no media coverage took place in Baghdad, demonstrating the democratic progress being made in Iraq. CPI employees upset over a lack of support from the Iraqi government protested publicly for all to see including those in the militias and gangs who would like to destroy CPI. At the time of the protest 17 employees had been killed; the total now stands at 34 murdered. Brotherhood of the Badge hopes that with the help of the media, their story will be told bringing attention to the needs of Iraq's fledging CPI, and clearly illustrating the resolve of Iraqi forces fighting for a free society. (Click on a picture below to view at full size)
This
site was last updated on: 02/11/2008 1630 |
