Royal Marines have been helping Afghan police take charge of law and order in their own back yard.
The members of 40 Commando have been leading courses for the Afghan Local Police (ALP) during their six month-tour of duty in Helmand Province.
In their latest success, a dozen Afghan policemen graduated from the three-week course at a ceremony at district police headquarters in the town of Gereshk.
Captain Lee Piper, the ALP liaison officer with Taunton-based 40 Commando, said the newly qualified officers had a tough job on their hands.
"These 12 Afghan Local Policemen completing training improves security because it will basically provide security for the local villagers," he said.
"They exhibit an intimate knowledge of the local area for the Afghan Uniform Police."
The course comprises two weeks' instruction in the classroom delivered by the top-ranking Afghan uniformed police who teach policing, military and how to deal with improvised explosive devices.
The final week is spent on the ranges at HMS Price – the hub of 40 Commando's mission in Helmand – where the green berets hone the local police's marksmanship and weapon handling abilities.
Like other nations, Afghanistan has various police forces fulfilling responsibility for different functions.
The Afghan Uniform Police, easily recognisable in Afghanistan by their blue uniforms, are the national law enforcement agency.
The ALP however wear khaki uniforms and are a local police force drawn from the immediate area to perform a function similar to the police community support officers in the UK.
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