Iraqi policewomen told to turn in guns

BAGHDAD, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- The Iraqi government has ordered all policewomen to return their guns for redistribution to male officers or face having their pay withheld.

The Interior Ministry, which oversees the police, issued the order late last month, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. David Phillips, who has coordinated efforts to recruit female officers, said without policewomen there will be no officers to give pat-down searches to female suspects, even though women have joined the ranks of suicide bombers in the war-torn country.

Policewomen, meanwhile, say the decree will leave them vulnerable to attack by insurgents, on or off duty.

"We are considered policewomen. We face kidnapping. We could be assassinated. If anyone knew where we worked, of course they would try to do something to us," a 27-year-old officer told the newspaper.

"How can I be a policewoman without a weapon?" she asked.