By Won Hyuk Im
PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team and 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Redhorse, conducted a three week training course for 20 Afghan National Police officers and Afghan National Army soldiers from Parwan Province at Bagram Air Field, March 6 - March 24.
The course, second one this year, was geared toward preparing trainees for the eventual transition of security responsibility to the Afghan National Security Forces.
The role of the ANP itself is transitional, from mere militia to an effective counter-insurgency force, and in the end professional law enforcement officers who serve and protect the population.
The course curriculum is based upon integrated and diverse requirements taught by 10 Korean police officers with the Parwan PRT, three U.S. Army military police officers from TF Redhorse, a part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Task Force Red Bulls, and 1 Afghan lawyer. The class has 12 subjects ranging from marksmanship to police code of ethics, and from empty hand control skills to Afghan police law.
The core lesson for the trainees was straight forward: be the pride of the people you serve. The pride felt by trainers was evident, especially those from the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA).
“Being in Afghanistan is such a prestige,” said Mr. Choi, a Korean National police instructor. “Finally, we can give and share.”
The South Korean police instructors are proud to contribute to improving law and order in Afghanistan. The KNPA played an important role during the 60-year history of war and reconstruction in South Korea. Because of this, they realize the challenges ahead for the Afghan people.
Discussing the police code of ethics and international human rights with the students shows how challenging this will be. Many ANP officers still accept sharia law and tribal practices rather than the Afghan constitution as their primary source of justice.
Although challenging this belief system raises tough questions from the students, the Parwan PRT believes that it is necessary in order to make progress toward strengthening the rule of law concept in Afghanistan.
A third round of training, with an expanded scope and duration, is currently underway. As a clear sign of progress, in addition to American and Korean trainers, the class includes a number of Afghan instructors from Parwan province.
*Editor’s Note Won Hyuk Im is the senior instructor with the Korean National police for the Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team’s training group in the program and many of the facts in this story can be attributed to him.
| Date Taken: | 04.11.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 04.15.2011 15:00 |
| Story ID: | 68822 |
| Location: | DZ |
| Web Views: | 87 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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