By
Olivia Alabaster
BEIRUT:
The first round of women to join the Internal Security Forces demonstrated
their skills Thursday at a ceremony in Dbayyeh. Until now there have been only
two female members of the ISF, out of a total of 25,500.
These
new cadets, numbering 600, began training in March, and still have another four
months to go until they can graduate as sergeants.
The
new recruits will carry out the same duties as their male counterparts and have
received identical training.
The
program falls under the U.S. Civilian Police mission, which aims at supporting
“the development of the ISF into a modern professional police force that is
capable of protecting Lebanon’s borders, defending its sovereignty, and serving
and protecting all of Lebanon’s citizens.”
One
component of CIVPOL, which started in 2006 and has contributed $100 million to
the ISF, involves training and advising via 26 U.S. police trainers at ISF
academies in Beirut.
Maj.
Suzanne Hajj Hobeish, one of the two original female members of the force, has
been heavily involved in training the cadets. Having joined the ISF 12 years
ago as an engineer, Hajj Hobeish said she was excited that more women were
finally receiving training.
“I
have always loved my job, and I’m just so happy to see these women succeed, and
to be able to help them in this,” she added.
What
may appear a “bold step,” Hobeish said, was guaranteed by the Constitution, in
terms of equality for all Lebanese.
The
skills the cadets are learning will enable them to “work at police stations,
writing police reports – especially reports on domestic violence – as well as
participating in patrols and investigations, and arrests.”
Deputy
Contingent Commander Tania Gonser has been helping to train the new cadets.
“I’ve
been working in Lebanon since 2009, training men, and now the women and they
have been doing just fantastically. They have shown such commitment and
enthusiasm and today is a testament to that.”
Around
100 of the young cadets, mainly in their early 20s and from across the country,
were involved in Thursday’s demonstration, and, in groups, carried out
live-fire drills, simulated riot defense tactics and showed how they would
pursue and stop a car and arrest its inhabitants.
Others
completed assault courses and abseiled down a high-rise building, some of them
headfirst.
“Physically,
they have shown they can do everything that the men can do, and academically,
they are doing superbly,” Gonser added.
Interior
Minister Marwan Charbel reiterated in March that the country’s security
institutions’ bylaws prohibit the display of any religious symbols, and while
several cadets were wearing hijabs Thursday, it is most likely that upon
graduation they will be confined to desk work, although ISF staff said the
issue had not yet been finalized.
Nivine
Horo, 22, one of the new recruits, has always wanted to be a police officer.
“I
come from a family where rules and discipline are important – but it always
seemed unrealistic. But now it has happened and it’s so exciting. I’ve already
experienced so many things that I just never thought I would be able to.”
When
training first started, she said, it was difficult for various reasons.
“It
was really hard because we were apart from our families and the training was
also difficult, so it was physically and emotionally challenging.
“But
then we made this transition from a civilian to a police officer, and
everything became easier,” Horo added.
The
aspect of the job she looks forward to most is helping women come forward after
they may have previously been hesitant about reporting certain crimes to male
officers.
“I’m
just looking forward to helping people who need help. And often women feel less
comfortable talking to men about certain issues. So being a woman, and a police
officer, that they can talk to, will help.”
Her
only concern about starting police work on the ground is the possibility of
derogatory comments from the public.
“The
only thing I’m worried about, when we start working, is possibly some negative
reactions from people who think that as women we are not as capable. But we
will just have to prove them wrong.”
On
hand for the demonstration was Todd Robinson, deputy assistant secretary for
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs at the U.S. Department of
State, in Lebanon as part of a regional tour.
“It’s
very impressive: They have only been training for a short amount of time and
it’s clear that they have shown real professionalism,” Robinson said.
The
step to include women within the ISF was important, he said, to show Lebanese
that the police force is one comprised of all citizens, and for all citizens.
“And it’s hugely important
that there are women now. The more you have women in this kind of role,” he
added, it enables “other women to know that these opportunities are available
to them and that they’re needed in protecting Lebanon.”
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/May-18/173791-first-batch-of-women-police-recruits-demonstrate-their-skills.ashx#axzz1v2XdY2Xy
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