First Afghan National Police instructors graduate in Uruzgan Province

KABUL, Afghanistan (December 21) – Five officers of the Afghan National Police (ANP) graduated as a police instructors December 18, the first group of ANP instructors trained in Uruzgan Province. In turn, they will now instruct their colleagues.

The five proud officers received their official diploma from Task Force Uruzgan (TFU) Commander, Colonel Kees Matthijssen at the Provincial Reconstruction Team camp.

“This moment marks the development of the Afghan National Police,” said Colonel Matthijssen, during his speech to the graduated instructors. “It is the next step towards a professional appearance for the ANP.”

Colonel Nasrullah, one of the graduates, stated he was grateful for the instruction he and his four colleagues received from Warrant Officer Boudewijn from the European Police (EUPOL).

“Our hope is that we can quickly expand the training to other instructors,” said Nasrullah.

His colleague, Colonel Majid, agreed with him and drew a parallel: “A farmer who plants his seed will see results in a matter of time; the same will happen with us as officers and instructors for the Afghan National Police. Now we are trained and we will instruct other policemen who will pass their knowledge to others.”

 “I have learned a lot from my teachers. The thing I found the most interesting during the course was the arrest and imprisonment of a detainee. I now know how to conduct it step by step,” explained Captain Abdul Habib. “We wear uniforms and the locals recognize us as the Afghan National Police, a service that provides security.”

The five officers will eventually take over the training of the policemen from TFU, coalition forces, EUPOL and Dynacorps. This will be conducted in the Police Trainings Center (PTC) which will be built next to Kamp Holland in Tarin Kowt.