Photo Journal: Baghdad police officer

I arrive at 0800 for my shift, which lasts until 1430. The first thing I do is have my shoes cleaned by one of the shoeshine boys outside the station.

The area in front of the station has been fortified with large sandbags, lots of razor wire and tank traps, and half the two-lane road has been blocked.

All this is to stop attacks on targets connected to the new Iraqi Government by forces who don't want a return to stability.