Herat: Italian Guardia di Finanza graduates 25 new border police agents

HERAT, Afghanistan (October 26) – Twenty-five new agents of the Afghan Border Police (ABP) received their graduation certificates today after the competition of the 33rd course organized by Task Force Grifo, the

specialised unit of the Italian Guardia di Finanza in Regional Command West.

The Guardia di Finanza is an Italian police corps specialised in the field of border control and customs and in the fight against smuggling and tax evasion. Since 2006 the Guardia di Finanza troops of Task Force ‘Grifo’ received the task to train Afghan security forces responsible for border security and customs and they had trained more than 700 Afghan agents of Afghan border police, Customs Police and officials of the Afghanistan Customs Administration. The courses include several aspects of customs and border protection; criminal law, police powers, customs, dealing with smuggling and measures against the illegal export of capital. Trainers instruct agent’s trainees also on international law and civic culture, as well as on legislation against corruption of public officials.

The course contents are designed in close with the responsible for the Afghan Border Police and the Afghanistan Customs Administration. The cooperation helps optimizing and standardizing the staff training for Afghan agencies

Beside theoretical lessons, the agents receive practical training on police tactics. The trainers have courses focusing on roadside checks and vehicle inspections.

In the area of responsibility for the Italian-led ISAF command in acting the 4th Zone of ABP. Its territorial jurisdiction is on the provinces of Badghis, Ghwor and Herat.