by Master Sgt. Donald Sparks, SOF-TF10
KABUL, Afghanistan — A combined Afghan/ISAF Commanders Conference Wednesday at North Kabul International Airport Community Center March 14 focused on identifying the way ahead for long-term partnering of ISAF Special Operations Forces and Afghan Special Police Units.
The conference, hosted by ISAF SOF, focused on the command’s partnership with the Afghan Ministry of Interior with emphasis on Special Police capabilities at the strategic, operational and tactical levels.
Senior Afghan law enforcement leadership from the Afghan Uniformed Police, General Directorate of Police Special Units, and provincial chiefs of police and Provincial Response Company commanders representing 19 provinces attended the event to discuss issues and focus on improving security in the country.
“We are here as a part of the team with you,” said Smethurst, addressing the audience which also included SOF task force commanders from various NATO countries. “I can tell you from my perspective as the ISAF SOF commander, Special Police Units are seen as a critical capability and we believe that there is a role for a partnership between ISAF SOF and the Special Police Units beyond 2014.”
Smethurst mentioned it was equally important that Afghan leaders highlight their requirements so they can continue to advance to the stage where PRCs no longer require enabled operations.
“I believe that we are at the stage now where we can lift the standard of these operations to a more complex level,” he said.
Afghan briefers included Brig. Gen. Sayeed Mohammed, GDPSU commander, Brig. Gen. Fareed, National Targeting Exploitation Center director, and Col. Mirwais, Special Police Training Center commander.
The event also featured a brief emphasizing the importance of evidence-based operations, known as EvBO, to better facilitate criminal prosecutions of individuals detained as part of Afghan-led operations.
“Evidence collected on the scene can be turned over directly to the local Afghan prosecutor at the provincial level, in lieu of witness statements,” said Col. Adam Torem, legal section chief for ISAF’s deputy chief of staff for stability.
Torem added EvBO allows the Afghan police to maintain control of the evidence and expedite the judicial process in Afghan courts.
At the conclusion, Smethurst thanked and praised Afghan law enforcement leaders for their dedication to security for the Afghan people. He emphasized that Special Police Units, particularly the PRCs, will lead the way in that effort.
“With NTEC and GDPSU integrating operations at the provincial level, you have the ability to leverage off the national units and generate better capability for the PRC,” Smethurst said. “As the insurgency decreases and the ANSF numbers stabilize, the emphasis will be on policing and even more interest will be shown in the Special Police Units.”
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