2012/05/31 Story and photos by Tech. Sgt. Renee Crisostomo Regional Support Command-South/NTM-A Public Affairs
SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan – The police training center in Spin Boldak graduated 243 Afghan Uniform Police recruits from an AUP initial police training course May 24.
An Afghan Uniform Police recruit, left, salutes Brig. Gen. Nasrullah Zarifi, right, Afghan National Police training commander for southern Afghanistan, before receiving his completion certificate during an initial police training course graduation ceremony at the Spin Boldak Police Training Center in southern Afghanistan, May 24, 2012.
The eight-week long course taught recruits skills in subjects such as radio communications, first aid, law, ethics and values, human rights and gender issues, firearms training, investigating common crimes, and response to terrorist incidents.
“Education is important,” said Anwar Agha. “The skills you’ve acquired here will help you do your job. You have to apply those skills well because you will encounter civilians who will rely on you every day.”
Col. Mohamad Ali Dawari, Afghan Border Police customs border crossing point commissioner, expressed a similar sentiment to the graduates.
“You, as policemen, are not slaves to the Afghan people, but servers to them,” said Dawari. “You can earn the trust of the people by how you protect and serve them. By becoming policemen, you have made a promise to protect Afghanistan and we must complete that promise.”
NTM-A is a coalition of 38 troop-contributing nations charged with assisting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in generating a capable and sustainable Afghan National Security Force ready to take lead of their country’s security by 2014.