Afghan Public Protection Force to become Afghan’s newest guards

By SrA Samantha Krolikowski
NATO Training Mission- Afghanistan, Public Affairs

The Afghan Public Protection Force’s main task is to protect banks and privately owned companies. Although they became operational five months ago, they are branching out to supply security to Afghan and Coalition bases as well.

A key component of this transition is the transfer of security responsibility for development projects and convoys around the country from Private Security Companies to the Afghan Public Protection Force.

As of June 4, the APPF has a force of approximately 16,000 guards.  This includes about 6,000 pre-existing APPF guards and 6,000 guards who have transitioned from private security companies. Its target goal is approximately 30,000 guards by March 2013.

The APPF has been training security guards and securing sites in Afghanistan since 2011. The APPF is growing and has an operational capability to meet the country’s existing and emerging security needs such as providing security for military compounds, private companies, as well as banks.

During training, the guards go through several classes on self defense, rules for use of force, arrest procedures, body searches, handling  batons and handcuffs, learning how to use a radio, firearms instruction, first aid, police tactics, Islamic relations, knowledge on access points, vehicle check points, vehicle searches, firefighting basics, IED and mine awareness, and dealing with discovered explosives.

These classes imbue the skills necessary for the APPF to use in their day-to-day jobs and teach them the right procedures in various of situations. After they complete the training, they are then able to provide security for banks and private companies, further adding to the security of the Afghan people.

“The APPF’s task is to protect the banks, private companies and to maintain their security,” said Walid “The banks or private companies have lots of guards and they’re for the banks and private companies. When someone wants guards, they suggest this to the defense minister, the defense minister requests from the minister of interior, and then we send the guards to the private companies or banks.”

The Afghan Public Protection Force is developing into a professional, capable force that can gain the Afghans’ confidence in their government. . It is playing an important role in ensuring that development work and viable investment can continue, paving the way for a more successful future for Afghanistan.

The success of the APPF lies in the hands of those who serve.  The most senior enlisted member of the organization takes the job seriously.  He is committed to working together with coalition advisers and Afghan organizations for continued progress.

Sgt. Maj. Mohammad Walid “Azizi” is new to the APPF, but he is doing his best to ensure issues within the APPF are recognized and have a solution.

“My main job is whenever any Non- Commisioned Officer has a problem, he or she shares with me their problem,” said Walid “If it doesn’t have a solution, I find a solution and I solve the problem, said Walid.”

“He serves as a leader for all APPF NCOs and Guards and as an advisor to the Deputy Minister,” said MSgt. Samuel Nunez, his coalition adviser.

NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan 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. For more information about NTM-A, visit www.ntm-a.com

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Category: News - Afghan National Police, News - General, News - News