First Cav. Div. IP patch

I received this patch from Iraq and was wondering about it.
I know it is for the First Cav. Div. and the IP is for Iraqi Police.
Was this patch worn (autorized) or is it a unofficial or novelty patch?
It is the cut edge variety but doesn't have the backing like most Iraqi made patches.
Bob

definitely unauthorized. and you're right, it looks like an Iraqi made ssi.

Thank you for your reply.
Bob

Nice patch Bob and I agree, appears to be Iraqi made ....

kriegsmodell wrote:
Nice patch Bob and I agree, appears to be Iraqi made ....

Thank you for the reply.
Bob

It was probably worn by an Embedded Training Team to build rapport, and it was probably authorized at least at a local command level.  The OIF-2 era was an interesting time for uniform items; between written exceptions to policy and blatant circumvention of AR 670-1 by senior leadership, a lot of things that today are black and white were not quite so back then.

As an example, take a look at this picture from that era.. No one can debate the patch pictured was unauthorized at the time:  http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_03_2011/post-2582-1301298605.jpg

The patch you have pictured was probably purchased locally at a FOB 'shopette' or bazaar. The material, construction, and backing is definitely consistent with patches available for purchase and wear in Baghdad from 2004-2005.

Static line wrote:It was probably worn by an Embedded Training Team to build rapport, and it was probably authorized at least at a local command level.  The OIF-2 era was an interesting time for uniform items; between written exceptions to policy and blatant circumvention of AR 670-1 by senior leadership, a lot of things that today are black and white were not quite so back then.

As an example, take a look at this picture from that era.. No one can debate the patch pictured was unauthorized at the time:  http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_03_2011/post-2582-1301298605.jpg

The patch you have pictured was probably purchased locally at a FOB 'shopette' or bazaar. The material, construction, and backing is definitely consistent with patches available for purchase and wear in Baghdad from 2004-2005.

Thank you for the added information.
Bob