ALP in Gizab district build peace through cooperation

URUZGAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

03.12.2012

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Dillon 

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

URUZGAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN – The Afghan Local Police in Gizab district continue to move their region toward peace and security through cooperation with coalition special operations forces.

The strength of the relationship between ALP and coalition special operations forces was evident in recent weeks after the Quran burnings at a coalition base.

A Gizab mullah, enraged by the allegations, encouraged villagers to participate in violent protest to express discontent with the region’s coalition forces and their association with the Quran burnings.

Muhammad Yousef, Gizab district’s ALP commander, immediately spoke publicly to assure villagers coalition forces operating in Gizab did not have ties to the incident.

“At first people were very angry,” Yousef said. “I assured them coalition forces in the area had nothing to do with the incident. The villagers here support our partnership with coalition forces and understand progress can be made. There were certain people in the region using the Quran burnings to instigate violence and unrest.”

The ALP’s trust and respect from the local populace, and their growth as a professional organization, has developed from their relationship with coalition SOF.

“We meet with police leadership almost daily to discuss issues, concerns and successes,” said a coalition special operations forces officer. “These daily meetings have facilitated open-communication, rapport and trust between the ALP and coalition SOF. It has also allowed for a better understanding of the district’s atmospherics and ALP’s daily operations.”

One of the most notable accomplishments of the ALP and coalition special operations forces partnership is the success of Gizab’s ALP Academy. The academy recently graduated its 400th ALP member, reaching the quota set by the Ministry of Interior. The three-week training course covers basic policing procedures, weapons handling and other skills necessary to protect and defend Afghan citizens.

“The academy initially provided a good opportunity for coalition SOF to directly train and mentor local security forces,” said the coalition special operations forces officer. “As the site evolved, Afghan Uniformed Police became certified to instruct the ALP Academy.”

With AUP members serving as ALP instructors, Gizab’s Afghan National Security Forces have taken the lead in training and sustaining its own forces, allowing coalition special operations forces to perform an oversight role.

“By supervising the academy, we have ensured the material is taught correctly, while letting ANSF lead the training, and simultaneously facilitating future police autonomy in the district,” said the coalition special operations forces officer.

Aside from the tactical aspects of training, coalition special operations forces have also seen Gizab’s ALP proactively refine its organization’s administrative functions.

“We worked with ALP leadership to conduct paydays on a timely and regular basis,” said the coalition special operations forces officer. “This proved to be a vital mechanism to develop ALP loyalty and limit turnover. These paydays provide an opportunity to mentor and train ALP leadership on the importance of, and how to properly execute, administrative actions vital to sustaining a security force.”

These tactical and administrative developments prepare Gizab’s ALP to assume the responsibility of providing security to the district’s villages after coalition forces withdraw.

“I’ve been very impressed with the development of the ALP, especially the leadership," said the coalition special operations forces officer. “They continue to build autonomy and demonstrate increased competence. The ALP’s presence here as embedded members of the community is the greatest security the Afghan people could have. The security here has also enabled numerous development projects to take place and helped link bottom-up district level concerns with top-down provincial support and guidance.”

Yousef said while his men are ready to provide security for their district, the many lessons and techniques learned throughout their partnership with coalition special operations forces will always serve as the foundation of his force.

“Coalition forces are our friends and have helped us whenever we needed it,” Yousef said. “We understand security in the region is ultimately our job and we are comfortable with it. We will rely on the training we received and will be ready when coalition forces leave.”

• Date Taken: 03.12.2012
• Date Posted: 03.12.2012 04:56
• Story ID: 85081
• Location: URUZGAN PROVINCE, AF