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An Afghan Border Police recruit, right, salutes French Gendarmerie Brig. Gen. Christian Dupouy, commander of Assistant Command General Police Transition Group under NTM-A, before receiving a certificate of completion during the recruits' initial police training course graduation ceremony. |
SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan – Afghan Brig. Gen. Abdul Raziq, the Kandahar provincial chief of police, attended an Afghan Border Police initial police training course graduation ceremony to support the newest ABP patrolmen in southern Afghanistan, May 31.
Seventy-nine ABP recruits graduated from the eight-week course that educated recruits in topics such as ethics, human rights, first aid, radio communications, response to terrorist incidents, first aid, self-defense, firearms, checkpoint operations and duty at the police station.
"Several years ago I was in the same position you are,” said Raziq to the graduates during the ceremony. "The training has improved a great deal since I've been through it and I hope you've learned a lot from your instructors so you can apply it to your job.”
"The Afghan people don't want enemies to enter Afghanistan, so it's your duty to protect our borders,” continued Raziq, an Afghan Border Policeman. "Have pride in bringing security to our country. I hope you serve honestly.”
French Gendarmerie Brig. Gen. Christian Dupouy, commander of the Assistant Command General Police Transition Group under NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan, was also present for the ceremony.
"You must maintain high standards and work as a team,” said Dupouy, a 31-year French Gendarmerie veteran. "This also means educating yourself even more. Literacy is capital and I encourage you to keep learning. Being able to read and write makes you a better citizen, family man, and policeman.”
Three-hundred thirteen ABP recruits have completed the IPTC at the police training center in Spin Boldak this year.
NTM-A is a coalition of 38 troop-contributing nations charged with assisting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in generating a capable and sustainable Afghan National Security Force ready to take lead of their country's security by 2014.
Story and photos by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Renee Crisostomo
Regional Support Command-South/NTM-A Public Affairs