In the shadow of the swords : the Baghdad Police Academy

**“Brings light to a little-known aspect of our War on Terror . . . an inside look at our nation’s efforts to train Iraqi police officers.” —Bob Hamer, veteran undercover FBI agent and author of __The Last Undercover__**Following the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the subsequent fall of the regime of Saddam Hussein, the U.S. government embarked upon a reconstruction effort which included rebuilding an Iraqi National Police. Retired and former American Police Officers were contracted to travel to Iraq to train this new police force. Dependent on their experience and ingenuity to make life bearable under very austere conditions, and relying on the “gallows sense of humor” they had acquired during their time in law enforcement back in the States, the instructors persevered in their task, often under trying and difficult circumstances, as well as hostile fire from insurgents determined to prevent the Iraqi police from regaining control of the streets of Baghdad.Life at the Police Academy varied from sheer boredom to moments of terror as mortars and rockets rained in. Leaving the academy to travel through the streets of Baghdad to the Green Zone for meetings could easily result in being ambushed. D. W. Wilber recounts his experiences as part of this effort, and the unique personalities who came to Baghdad to serve as instructors to the Iraqi Police Cadets attending the Baghdad Police Academy.**“A snarky and smart blade that’s plunged to the hilt in serious reality . . . Solid writing. Entertaining. Awesome storytelling with amazing first-hand accounts about a whole new angle on the war in Iraq. Loaded with modest heroes that made a difference.” —Boone Cutler, Iraq War combat veteran, author of __CallSign Voodoo__** This vivid account gives an insight into the experience of living and working in Baghdad after the fall of Saddam. Following the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the subsequent fall of the regime of Saddam Hussein, the U.S. government embarked upon a reconstruction effort which included rebuilding an Iraqi National Police. Retired and former American Police Officers were contracted to travel to Iraq to train this new police force. Dependent on their experience and ingenuity to make life bearable under very austere conditions, and relying on the gallows sense of humor they had acquired during their time in law enforcement back in the States, the instructors persevered in their task, often under trying and difficult circumstances, as well as hostile fire from insurgents determined to prevent the Iraqi police from regaining control of the streets of Baghdad. Life at the Police Academy varied from sheer boredom to moments of terror as mortars and rockets rained in. Leaving the academy to travel through the streets of Baghdad to the Green Zone for meetings could easily result in being ambushed. D. W. Wilber recounts his experiences as part of this effort, and the unique personalities who came to Baghdad to serve as instructors to the Iraqi Police Cadets attending the Baghdad Police Academy. Table of Contents Theres a Hell of a Gunfight going on Back Home, to the World Again Introduction to ICITAP, Baghdad Baghdad or Bust Never Have so Many Done so Little for so Much An Armed Cop is a Happy Cop Into the Red Zone Camp Shield (The Baghdad Police Academy) Happy New Year From Baghdad Gentlemen, Start Your Engines Choir Practice, Iraq StyleThank You For Your Service And So It Begins (The First Day) The Tin Hut Promotion, or Not Morale Phone ? What Morale Phone ? Hide and Seek, For Thirteen Thousand Dollars a Month The Seven Dead Puppies Saloon Banking With a Gun on Your Hip Wiffle Ball Champs Graduation Personalities Going Home Lessons Learned "Brings light to a little-known aspect of our War on Terror . . . an inside look at our nation's efforts to train Iraqi police officers." —Bob Hamer, veteran undercover FBI agent and author of The Last Undercover Following the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the subsequent fall of the regime of Saddam Hussein, the U.S. government embarked upon a reconstruction effort which included rebuilding an Iraqi National Police. Retired and former American Police Officers were contracted to travel to Iraq to train this new police force. Dependent on their experience and ingenuity to make life bearable under very austere conditions, and relying on the "gallows sense of humor" they had acquired during their time in law enforcement back in the States, the instructors persevered in their task, often under trying and difficult circumstances, as well as hostile fire from insurgents determined to prevent the Iraqi police from regaining control of the streets of Baghdad. Life at the Police Academy varied from sheer boredom to moments of terror as mortars and rockets rained in. Leaving the academy to travel through the streets of Baghdad to the Green Zone for meetings could easily result in being ambushed. D. W. Wilber recounts his experiences as part of this effort, and the unique personalities who came to Baghdad to serve as instructors to the Iraqi Police Cadets attending the Baghdad Police Academy. "A snarky and smart blade that's plunged to the hilt in serious reality . . . Solid writing. Entertaining. Awesome storytelling with amazing first-hand accounts about a whole new angle on the war in Iraq. Loaded with modest heroes that made a difference." —Boone Cutler, Iraq War combat veteran, author of CallSign Voodoo