Training Afghan National Police for the Elections

Sgt. Damian Coakeley, Ottawa Police Services

Along with the rest of our contingent, I arrived in theatre on June 26th, 2009.  It is hard to believe that more than two months have passed since then.  For most of us it has been a very busy summer.

Our first week was spent at Camp Nathan Smith in Kandahar, acclimatizing and training specifically for our Mission.  We had been advised that all of us would be heading to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Walton, an American-run base, in order to teach and mentor the Afghan National Police in a basic training course for the upcoming Afghan elections. Like many things in mission, changes were to come, however our ultimate success is a testament to the team that we are all fortunate to be part of.

On July 6th, four of my police colleagues and I were assigned to FOB Walton to assist a small group of Canadian Forces Military Police and British Engineers in the delivery of course materials.  The students we were to teach numbered just in excess of 250, and the course was originally to last three weeks, at which time another 250 or so students would replace them.  It soon became apparent that the best solution was to keep training our group for an entire six weeks, at which time they would have completed an abbreviated Focus District Development course – which usually lasts 8 weeks.

On July 17th, a second rotation of Canadian Forces Military Police arrived, along with the rest of our CIVPOL contingent from Camp Nathan Smith. Full responsibility for the training was transferred to CIVPOL, with Supt. John White becoming the course commander.  I must admit that the transition to CIVPOL command was seamless, which speaks highly of the relationships that were built in a very short period and the excellent working arrangements amongst national and international partners.

During the original three weeks, students were put through a course curriculum which included instruction on Improvised Explosion Device recognition, firearms familiarization and safety, police station security, use of force, handcuffing and prisoner detention, and basic baton. Our instructors worked in teams, sharing a wealth of diversified knowledge with the Afghan cadets.  In turn, instructors were able to learn from one another, such that best practices all around were learned by more than just the students.

The second three weeks included training in reaction to ambush, traffic law and documentation recognition, building searches, crime scene security and advanced firearms.  Vast improvements were noticed in many of the students, and many were recommended for promotion by the instructors. 

We also finished up the firearms instruction with a “Top Gun” competition amongst the cadets, which was extremely well attended and received by students and instructors alike. Some 23 competitors took part in the day-long competition, which involved a course of fire in the prone, kneeling and standing firing positions, over a more than 100-metre course.  The winning time came in at 1:26 - a respectable time by anyone’s assessment!

On August 13th, a graduation ceremony was held with many invited VIP’s, including General John Vance, General Wahdat from the Regional Training Center (RTC),  FOB Walton Commander Colonel Murphy, and our overall contingent commanders, Assistant Commissioner Graham Muir and Supt. Dave Fudge.  The event was well attended by both Afghan and international media.

Class leaders were presented with their Certificates of Course Completion before a crowd of cadets, and they were obviously extremely proud at their achievements.  Further, the “Top Guns” from each class were also presented with certificates recognizing their skills.  Again, they were equally proud, as was each of us.

As the students left to embark on their new careers, we all felt a sense of accomplishment. The students, of course, were happy to be leaving to be able to see their families again, and many were anxious to embark on their challenge of protecting and serving the people and country of Afghanistan.  Many of the instructors had developed relationships with students, were proud of their work ethic and wished them all the very best.