DES MOINES (AP) - A dozen peace activists were arrested and a Polk County deputy was injured Sunday during a protest at Camp Dodge in Johnston.

The protesters, who want U.S. troops sent home from Iraq, announced their intentions to carry out a peaceful protest in advance, but were met with officers in riot gear armed with weapons, said Brian Terrell, director of Catholic Peace Ministries, one of the sponsoring organizations.

"They had 17 Polk County officers in riot gear, behind them were 19 state troopers with batons and behind that more police and guard security," he said. "All that for something that they had every knowledge was a nonviolent demonstration."

However, Polk County Sheriff's Capt. Doug Phillips said the protest at the Iowa National Guard headquarters wasn't entirely peaceful.

One officer, who's name was not released, was kicked in the knee by a woman who was being arrested. The officer's kneecap was dislocated, and he was taken to a hospital, Phillips said.

He said the riot gear was a precaution in case a large group showed up, or other groups decided to join in at the event.

"I'm sure that they assumed that we were probably a little bit of overkill, but our whole perception on that is that we are going to be safe, rather than sorry," he said.

Terrell said the show of police force was meant to send a signal to the group of about 70, many who have protested before.

"I think (it) was ridiculous. It was meant to intimidate. It was meant to send a message," he said.

The organizations at the protest oppose the involvement of U.S. troops in Iraq.

"What we're doing is in support of our troops and supportive of our Guard and we need to ask that they come back home now," Terrell said.

Other organizations involved included Catholic Worker House, the Iowa Peace Network, Womens International League for Peace and Freedom, and Veterans for Peace.

Ten of the 12 people arrested suspected they would be taken into custody. Two were observers, Terrell said.

Among those arrested were Rita Hohenshell, 78, of Des Moines, and Frank Cordaro, 52, a Des Moines Catholic priest who is leaving the priesthood.

Both have been arrested before.

Hohenshell served three months at the federal prison in Pekin, Ill., for trespassing at a U.S. Army base in Fort Benning, Ga., in November 2000.

Cordaro, a longtime peace activist, also has been jailed for trespassing during protests.

Also arrested were Sherry Hutchison, 84; Ed Bloomer, 56; Elton Davis, 41; Wendy Vasquez, 51, all of Des Moines. University of Northern Iowa students Josh Plank, 22; Jesse Wozniac, 21; and Stephanie Smelser, 20, were also jailed. Also included was Chris Gaunt, 47, of Grinnell.

The two spectators who had not intended on being arrested were Carla Dawson and Jane Magers, both of Des Moines, Terrell said.