NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Ernesto Hernandez-Fonte
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KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Ready to complete the transformation they began more than a month earlier, Afghan National Police recruits packed into a small building at Training Support Site Costell near Spin Boldak on the Afghan/Pakistan border. Entering the building as recruits, they exited as Afghan Uniform Patrolmen after receiving their certificates.

The 164 graduates of the Uniform Police Basic Course completed classes on use of force, human rights, emergency response, traffic law, civil disturbance, basic foot patrol, and firearms.

At the graduation were instructors and generals, both Afghan and coalition, witnesses to Afghanistan’s newest policemen and some of the faces that will make a difference in the war. Just as “strategic sergeants” and “strategic captains” turn big ideas in counterinsurgency operations into reality for the army, these Afghans will be strategic policemen who will play a key role in Afghanistan’s future.

Story and Photo by Navy Lt. Joseph R. Holstead
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KABUL - The Afghan Ministry of Interior (MOI) announced that President Hamid Karzai has authorized the stand up of the Afghan Local Police (or ALP) initiative, which will be overseen by MOI leadership.

Deputy Minister of Interior, Gen. Munir Mangal, made the announcement today at MOI Headquarters to a group of 60 national and international journalists.

“ALP members will work to make their villages safe by protecting business, clinics, and everyday activities,” he said.

The local police force will extend the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s and the Ministry’s ability to protect its citizens under the rule of law.

“MOI will be responsible for ensuring that the ALP are protecting the local citizens and operating under the law,” Mangal said.  

par Capt Tamara Gonzales
traduit par Capt H. P.

Les Afghans et la gendarmerie nationale française travaillent ensemble pour former la Police nationale afghane en Afghanistan. Leur capacité à mener à bien cette formation est en pleine expansion alors que les ingénieurs de la coalition, la gendarmerie et les constructeurs afghans sont engagés dans la construction du cantonnement d’instructeurs internationaux intégré au Centre de formation de la police nationale.

By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez, USAF
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Approximately 200 policemen stood in formation with equipment packed on their backs, weapons in hand, and outfitted with new uniforms. These men of Afghan National Civil Order Police 2nd Brigade, 1st Battalion were trained and ready to deploy.

“Having served 30 years in the United States Marine Corps, I can tell you, this was one of the sharpest units I have ever seen,” said Dave Clifton, Ministry of Defense Advisor and Senior Advisor for the Ministry of Interior.

The 2/1 from Kabul, along with the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Battalion from Herat, is the most recent ANCOP unit to deploy to Kandahar. Playing a key part in the second phase of the counterinsurgency ‘clear, hold, build’ model, these two ANCOP units will become part of the Security Ring Protection Force around Kandahar and be tasked with manning check points around the city. This is a role ANCOP is well-trained to fulfill; however this deployment brings a new mission as well.

“The current deployment in Kandahar is different in that it combines both a hold function for ANCOP along with the FDD mission,” said U.S. Army Col. Jimmie Sizemore, ANCOP Program Manager for the Assistant Commanding General-Police Development.

FDD, or Focused District Development, calls for ANCOP units to replace traditional Afghan Uniform Police units in certain districts. This frees up AUP members and leadership to receive collective training at one of the Regional Training Centers. This additional training is part of an effort to reform existing AUP, helping them become more professional and less corrupt.

Prior to deploying, the 2/1 received four weeks of training. This training consisted of Rule of Law, use of force, check point operations, patrolling, primary marksmanship instruction, operation and maintenance of communication equipment, and combat life-saver training. More importantly, the unit was the first to receive the new ANCOP uniform.

“The differences which our clothes make are that people should differentiate ANCOP from other groups of police,” said Afghan Lt. Col. Abdultawab, 2/1 commander. “I hope that the ANCOP treat the people well, do their jobs honestly and do not misuse their clothes and their positions.”

Prior to the new digital camouflage uniforms, ANCOP units were outfitted in the same solid blue uniform as the rest of the AUP. The new uniform is made from rip-stop fabric and is of lighter material, better suited for an urban terrain. The locally-made uniform also features more pockets and Velcro patches and is wash-and-wear.

Because ANCOP is considered an elite unit, leadership wanted a visual distinction between ANCOP and other police forces. Afghan Maj. Gen. Sharif, ANCOP commander, wanted a uniform that would help citizens recognize who was a part of ANCOP; while they are still part of the police, they are tasked with a different mission.

“It’s good people know we are ANCOP and not like the other ANP,” said Afghan 1st Sgt. Sarbaz Khan, a 2/1 member who has been with ANCOP for four years. “Some other ANP are corrupt. ANCOP is good. People can trust us, and with the new uniforms, now they can know we are ANCOP.”

With 2/1 already outfitted with the new uniform, the 2/3 and other units operating in Kandahar are scheduled to receive the uniform next. The 2/1 and 2/3 will be deployed to Kandahar for approximately 12 weeks, after which they will return to their home stations for a few weeks of rest and recuperation.

Caption: KABUL, Afghanistan -- A member of the Afghan National Civil Order Police attaches nametapes to a new uniform Aug. 3, 2010. The 2nd Kandak, 1st Brigade is the first ANCOP unit to receive this new uniform that will help distinguish them from other police units. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez, USAF)

By Capt. Tamara Gonzales, USA
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WARDAK, Afghanistan – Afghans and the French Gendarmerie Nationale, a law enforcement agency performing police duties with a military status, are working together to train Afghan National Police throughout Afghanistan. Their ability to conduct this training is expanding as coalition engineers, Gendarmerie and Afghan construction workers partner to build the National Police Training Center’s International Trainers Compound.

Capt. Tamara Gonzales, USA and Capt. Kevin Heinemanm, USAF
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KABUL, Afghanistan - In Nov. 2009, A Department of Defense Inspector General's team conducted an initial assessment of NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan’s Afghan National Police (ANP).

“The last time we were here, there was no ANP presence at Afghan 22 Bunkers,” said Ambassador Kenneth Moorefield, Deputy IG, Special Plans and Operations. “Today, the ANP could take over the whole operation with the exception of automation. They could run a national supply depot.”

This month, another team returned to assess the progress of transitioning to the Afghan National Security Forces at 22 Bunkers, an ammunition and weapons storage facility for the ANP.