Program trains 900 Afghan police

JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Nine hundred Afghan national police officers have graduated from a U.S. State Department training initiative conducted by three U.S. Air Force airmen.

The airmen, Tech. Sgt. Brady Holcomb, Staff Sgt. Curtis Hames and Staff Sgt. Kevin Krouse, conducted the training at the Jalalabad Regional Training Center in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province, the Air Force reported.

During the nine-month training program, 900 Afghan national police officers participated in eight-week sessions in which they received instructions on general policing, weapons proficiency and border security, among other law enforcement skills.

Many of the officers had little previous police training. Officials say despite the challenge, the training is adding much-needed security to Afghanistan's Nangarhar, Nuristan, Kunar and Lagman provinces.

"We administer firearms training on a live range and apply squad movement techniques," Krouse said in a statement.

"In addition, they receive training on vehicle searches and police checkpoints. If they find a terrorist with a suicide vest (by) using these search techniques before they are able to detonate themselves, then they will save lives."