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Helmand capital’s police training facility opens new accommodations

US Marine Corps News

10/18/2011 By Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Snodgrass, II MEF (FWD)

LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan — The Lashkar Gah Afghan Uniformed Police training facility unveiled its new training buildings and living quarters Sept. 28, following an AUP Basic Patrolman course graduation ceremony.

The new facilities in the Helmand provincial capital include new class rooms, living accommodations, a dining facility and bathrooms.

“The new facilities increase the standard of living for the AUP students,” said Cpl. Ananda Rai, 2 Royal Gurkha rifles and an AUP basic patrolman course instructor. “With the improved facilities, the classes can focus more on the training.”

The instructors have been working to improve the AUP’s capability to improve security in Helmand province.

“We’ve been adapting the AUP training to get them focused on the community,” said Lt. Col. Frazier Rea, the commanding officer of the police mentoring advisory group and 2 Royal Gurkha rifles. “We’ve begun transitioning them toward a modernized method of policing. This includes making them more responsive and accessible to the community.”

The modernization process for the AUP means improving the quality of training the patrolmen receive.

“We are training the AUP in policies similar to community policing,” said Rea. “They are being taught how to respond to smaller crimes such as theft and assaults.”

“We are also improving their training in literacy so that they will be able to properly document incidents and reports,” said Rai.

The AUP have been attempting to improve their image in the community. The improved facilities and training should be helpful in demonstrating the effectiveness and professionalism of the patrolmen, said Rea.

“Much of the Afghan community used to view the AUP as part of the problem,” said Rea. “But now that the AUP has gotten more professional in how they interact with the community, the people have begun to trust the police. Before, the patrolmen often had dirty, unkempt uniforms and their behavior toward the people was sometimes discourteous or indifferent. Now, they’re being taught how to handle the day-to-day handling of police responsibilities.”

The AUP’s salary payment methods have also been modified to better suit the needs of the patrolmen.

“Their pay is now aligned with the military, making it more reliable and efficient,” said Rea. “The patrolmen get paid a regular salary in accordance to their rank and time in service.”

The police mentoring advisory group members have made a point of ensuring AUP resolve problems without coalition assistance , rather than interceding.

“We want the AUP commanders to get used to taking charge of their own units,” said Rea. “They need to begin taking care of disputes between patrolmen, or complaints from the Afghan population. It’s part of becoming a professional police force and gaining confidence in their ability to lead independently.”

The AUP have the difficult task of providing the Afghan people security from insurgent threats, while at the same time being a police force, enforcing the laws that effect everyday life. Because of improved training methods and accommodations, this difficult task becomes more manageable.

“The police on the street have to be part ANA soldier, and part patrolman,” said Rai. “This is a wide range of responsibilities to cover, and there are many difficulties that they face. But I am confident that the training they are receiving here is getting better at addressing the problems and issues that they face. I believe the AUP can fulfill their mission and make Helmand safer for its people.”