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By Spc. Jon H. Arguello
22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
JALALABAD AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The first 30 graduates from the new Afghan National Auxiliary Police training program in Jalalabad took their oath to defend and serve their country, March 15, at a facility run by American military and DynCorp trainers.
The new ANAP program will serve the federal government in a capacity similar to that of current militia units. Although the new policemen have only been through a basic curriculum, their skills will be improved through quarterly training.
The program is intended to help increase security throughout the region by adding 1,500 new policemen to the current force.
"The training center helps provide more people willing to sacrifice and work for the future of their government and country," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. McGowan Anderson, an instructor at the facility. "One of the progress benchmarks of a government is how many people you have working in unison to improve the country, and this program increases that number dramatically. It also demonstrates how many people have faith in the government and that is a dramatic change from when the Taliban was here."
The effect of the increase is substantial in more ways than one, said Anderson.
"Security happens to be one of the priorities right now," Anderson said. "This training program elevates the preparedness of people who wish to participate in that area. Having an auxiliary police force such as this allows the Afghan National Police to do their job while knowing they have a better support system."
The commitment of the students was applauded by their American counterparts, including Army Lt. Col. Steven Anderson, Task Force Spartan's deputy commanding officer.
"I would like to thank you for your commitment to the security of your country," Anderson said. "Even though I haven't met with you individually, I feel a bond with you. I am a Soldier, you are policemen, but we have both sworn an oath to defend our countries. Like you, we stand between our families and people who would hurt our families."
Anderson also pledged TF Spartan's continued support to the new lawmen.
"When you go out into your districts you will see Soldiers from our brigade," he said. "Our Soldiers will face danger out with you in your districts to defeat the enemy together."
The Jalalabad Provincial Reconstruction Team commander, Air Force Lt. Col. David Naisbitt, commended the students on the high standards they had set for those who follow them and asked the students to make a good reputation for themselves.
"I ask you to take what you've learned here and put in to practice what you have been taught," said Naisbitt. "I ask you to always be professional and remember you represent your profession as a police officer, your country and your family."
The new policemen saluted and reaffirmed their oath with pride after receiving their certificates.
"I am very proud to have received this training here," said one of the graduates. "We will work hard for a bright future for Afghanistan. I used to be a farmer but I was inspired to work for my country and that's what led me to become a police officer. I urge other people to come forward and work towards building Afghanistan's future."
| Date Taken: | 03.19.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 03.19.2007 15:49 |
| Story ID: | 9509 |
| Location: | JALALABAD, AF |
| Web Views: | 717 |
| Downloads: | 707 |
This work, 30 Afghan patriots added to police force, by Jon Arguello, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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