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KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (June 30, 2008) - A Kunar Provincial
Reconstruction Team program here trains Afghan men to become part
of the Afghan National Auxiliary Police force.
The three-week Police Training and Advisory Team program was
conducted at Camp Wright, near Asadabad, and is the only one of its
kind in the province. The trainees come from every district in the
province and are housed at the Asadabad police headquarters during
their training.
"Many of the police trainees arrive at the ANAP course with poor
discipline," Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos A. Ramirez, of the
Kunar PRT, said. "We teach them discipline through repetitive
activities and specially designed physical exercise."
After physical exercise, the trainees attend classroom training
led by one of three Afghan police officer instructors attached to
the Police Training and Advisory Team program.
Trainees learn traffic accident investigation, weapons
familiarization, domestic violence investigation, vehicle searches,
community policing, explosives detection, the penal code, baton
training, handcuffing, and a variety of other law-enforcement
skills.
"I think it's good to have our three Afghan teachers leading the
lecture part of the training, because they speak the Pashto
language, and about half of the trainees speak very little
English," Navy Seaman Brian L. Boyd Jr. of the Kunar PRT said.
The Police Training and Advisory Team military staff, assisted
by four interpreters, teaches practical, hands-on training in the
afternoon.
"Initially the trainees are reserved, due to the fact that for
many, this is their first interaction with coalition forces," Boyd
said. "Midway through the class, they interact more with us. By
graduation, many of us are good friends. If we maintain this
program, Afghanistan will improve, because these trainees want to
become [Afghan National Police officers] and truly want their
country to succeed."
The goal of coalition forces is to have Afghanistan secure and
govern itself. Security is a big issue in Kunar province, and the
police play a huge role toward accomplishing that goal, PRT
officials said, and the PTAT contributes to that effort by
providing a steady pool of well-trained police officers who are
ready to serve their country.
A typical auxiliary police candidate, 36-year-old Ali hails from
the Shigal district. He is married and has seven children. Ali is
eager to complete the training and eventually get hired by the
Afghan National Police at the end of his three-year auxiliary
police contract. He has a positive attitude toward the coalition
forces and understands they are here to help him rebuild his
country, officials said.
The program also mentors police chiefs.
"We go to every district and survey the police station, meet
with the police chief, and ascertain their needs," Ramirez said.
"Whether it be facility improvements, more staff or equipment, the
PTAT mentors and shows police chiefs how to properly coordinate
assistance with other agencies for help run their stations. In some
cases, PTAT provides assistance with building upgrades and
repairs."
To date, PTAT has trained 290 auxiliary police officers, with 90
more candidates now enrolled.
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