Regional Command West
FARAH, Afghanistan (April 20, 2011) – Farah provincial law enforcement officials and International Security Assistance Force police mentors celebrated the graduation of 50 new Afghan National Police officers from initial police training April 19.
The graduation event was the second of its kind at a new ANP training facility that opened three months ago near Forward Operating Base Farah.
FARAH CITY, Afghanistan (April 19, 2011) – Afghan National Police training instructor, 2nd Lt. Niamatullah, prepares a formation of 50 Afghan National Police recruits for their initial training course graduation ceremony. They were the second group to complete the six week basic law enforcement course since the opening of the new ANP training facility in Farah three months ago. (ISAF photo by U.S. Air Force Capt. Candace N. Park/released)
“Afghanistan belongs to Afghans,” said Farah ANP security officer Colonel Malyar. “We want more Afghans to take responsibility to protect our country and that’s why we opened up this training center.”
“I am very happy that I am a teacher here,” Lieutenant Niamatullah said. “I try to teach them everything I know because this country needs these young men. I feel happy to see them graduate today.”
The graduation was also rewarding for the ISAF police mentors who assisted in the training course.
After 38 years of law enforcement work in Maine, David Lyons, a Task Force Arrow embedded police mentor, could have retired with a full career behind him, but instead he chose to come to Afghanistan to share his nearly four decades of police experience in hopes of improving security for the people.
“I believe we are part of a global community,” Lyons said. “It is rewarding to know I’m part of something bigger than myself.”
Farah’s provincial chief of police, Gen. Sayed Mohammad, said the new recruits had come a long way since he visited them on their first day of training six weeks ago.
“I see big changes in them since when they first got here,” General Mohammad said. “They have discipline and pride now. They know how to interact with the people and they are ready to go out and protect the community.”
(c) DoD
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