OUR MISSION
When veteran Fresno Police officer Mike Harris
learned about the high causality rate among Iraqi
Police officers, he made the decision to help. 'Just
about every law enforcement agency in the United
States has surplus and expired equipment. This is
perfectly good gear that for one reason or another
is not being used,' Harris explains. 'I asked what
Fresno was planning to do with our surplus
equipment. When I was told it was slated for
destruction, I asked if we could send that equipment
to Iraq instead.' Fresno City leaders agreed to
help, and within months the Brotherhood of the Badge
was born.
Now a non-profit organization, the Brotherhood of
the Badge has sent more than 20,000 bulletproof
vests into the Iraqi theater, along with thousands
of helmets, radios, and other protective equipment.
Since its start in 2003, over one hundred law
enforcement agencies from across the United States
have donated equipment to the cause, and private
donations of more than 2.7 million dollars have
financed the purchase of new bulletproof vest. US
military personnel distribute the gear to Iraqi
officers who have been trained by US forces. This
life saving equipment is protecting Iraqi police
officers and firefighters, while also helping to
bring peace to the nation. 'The bond between law
enforcement officers extends beyond borders. We hear
the call of our fellow officers in that war torn
country who are in need,' says Harris. 'It is our
duty to help.'
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