FORWARD OPERATING BASE SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan - The newly appointed district chief of police, Col. Abdul Quayum, met with his International Security Assistance Forces police assets here for the first time to discuss current issues and strengthen their relationship at the District Police Center Dec. 3.
The purpose of this meeting, or key leader engagement, was to assess the new police chief's management of his organization and develop ideas for a more self-reliant Afghan police force. This KLE was also the first time all partnered police assets, including representatives from the offices of law enforcement professionals, rule of law field forces and police mentors, attended one meeting simultaneously.
Security Forces Assistance Team 20, comprised of soldiers from the Texas National Guard, organized the event to bring the partnered entities together and showed the Afghan Uniformed Police the numerous resources available in the district. SFAT 20 recently arrived in the district and its officials said they have seen an improvement in the AUP after Quayum took over in August following an insider attack.
"Having all of our assets present was important because it showed Quayum what he has available," said Maj. Bryan Carrico, the SFAT 20 commander currently deployed with 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team. "We wanted to emphasize our presence and that we are here and available to help the Afghan Uniform Police."
Quayum and other officials discussed the current issues the AUP were facing during the three hour meeting, including fuel deficiencies and needed improvements to compound infrastructure. They also proposed initiatives to handle current issues and ways to make the district's police more self-sustaining for the future.
Carrico said the main goal of the KLE was to re-emphasize the need for Afghan police forces to develop self-sufficient processes and improve their utilization of the Afghan government's system for aid.
"We are here to help walk them through the door of success, but ultimately we are here to instill their need to achieve future success independently," Carrico said. "By the end of our time with the AUP, I hope to be passive at future meetings and simply listen to the Afghan leaders discuss issues with little ISAF input."
Quayum said he maintains excellent communication with his men at all eight of the checkpoints within his district and he remains confident the force will continue to improve and succeed in the future.
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