58th MP Company, AUP build strong everlasting bonds

AFGHANISTAN

05.22.2012

Story by Sgt. Ryan Hohman 

2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – Afghan Uniformed Police of Sub District 4 conducted a joint patrol with Military Police with the 58th Military Police Company, 503rd Military Police Battalion, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, May 20.

One of the main goals the 58th MP Company sets out to achieve during these patrols is to build a strong positive relationship between the local populace and the AUP.

“During our time in Kandahar City we have focused on transitioning the [Afghan Uniformed Police] from a paramilitary mindset and practice to more of a community policing tactic,” said 1st Lt. Danelle Gamble, who serves as a platoon leader with the 58th MP Company “The goal in having the AUP in the lead is to transition them to a policing tactic that builds a relationship with the community.”

Building a good relationship is very important to the AUP to ensure they are able to perform their role as protectors of the city.

“Today was good and we talked with the people to see their problems and try and find out how we can help them,” said Col. Ajmael Ahamdzai, commander of the Afghan Uniformed Police of Sub District 4.

The relationship built between the AUP and the locals will allow them to create a safer and more secure neighborhood.

“Building a relationship with the community is huge in the city in order to keep the insurgents from gaining a strong-hold,” said Gamble. “If we are able to facilitate a relationship between the AUP and the local populace, to include men, women and children, then that will prevent the insurgents from being able to break that bond the AUP have created.”

During the patrol, the 58th MP Company along with their AUP partners stopped at different compounds to discuss with the local populace some of the concerns they were feeling and what the AUP could do to help.

“In order to build better relationships with the local populace we talk to them, along with our AUP partners, so we can understand their needs and show them we are working towards meeting those needs,” said Gamble.

The trust built between the locals and the 58th MP Company was not created overnight. At the beginning of their 12-month deployment, they were not always welcomed with smiles and handshakes.

“When we first got into sub-district 4, it didn’t matter where we went, there were rocks and tomatoes thrown at us,” said Gamble.

As time went on, the MPs and AUP were able to solidify their intentions and create a positive bond with the people by listening and addressing their concerns.

“We don’t get rocks and tomatoes thrown at us anymore,” said Gamble. “It is definitely an improvement in the area and it shows that not only are we able to build a positive relationship with the people, but also the AUP have been able to mimic us and have built a positive relationship as well.”

The AUP feel the benefit of the trust.

“I have worked hard with my people and now the AUP and [International Security Assistant Forces] trust each other,” said Ahamdzai. “With the good training we received from the [58th MP Company] we have had less killed from [improvised explosive devices] and ambushes from the enemy.”

Working with the AUP of Sub District 4 for the past 12 months has been a learning experience for the 58th MP Company and allowed them to make everlasting bonds.

“We have worked with some of these guys for 12 months and you really do start to build an extremely strong bond and you start to rely on each other out in patrol,” said Gamble. “I believe that in security operations and in community policing operations, that the AUP of [Sub District 4] are on the path to being in the lead.”

By understanding and working with the AUP, the 58th MP Company has strengthened the confidence and ability of the AUP.

“We can see the training is working because the searches are going good,” said Ahamdzai. “When people see us driving down the road they are happy.”

With the 58th MP Company’s tour coming to an end they can leave knowing they had an everlasting impact within Sub District 4.

“To see the AUP moving from a paramilitary mindset into one that engages with the local populace is a huge success for us and we look at that and we consider this entire deployment successful,” said Gamble. “I think it is just a matter of maintaining the leadership and continuity within the city and these guys will be ready to carry on 100 percent.”

• Date Taken: 05.22.2012
• Date Posted: 05.22.2012 11:40
• Story ID: 88783
• Location: AF