Afghan perspective on Anzac Day [slideshow]

At this time of year our thoughts turn to those who have paid the ultimate price for serving New Zealand.

Police Commissioner Peter Marshall said his visit this month to Afghanistan, where Police staff were deployed between 2005 and 2012, underlined the common purpose and mutual respect felt by Police and Defence personnel and gave him a fresh perspective on Anzac Day.

Commissioner Marshall said: "We are both committed to protecting New Zealanders' lives and property and there are many times and places where our staff serve side-by-side. The mutual respect that members of each organisation hold for the other is clear to see.

"Anzac Day is an opportunity to demonstrate our desire to serve New Zealand and remember those who have gone before us."

Commissioner Marshall visited Afghanistan as a member of a senior Kiwi delegation which included Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae, Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman and Chief of Defence Lieutenant-General Rhys Jones. The visit marked the end of the major New Zealand mission in the country.

They met Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the Presidential Palace in Kabul and visited Bamyan Province, where Police staff were deployed to the Kiwi-led Provincial Reconstruction Team.

One highlight was a wreath-laying ceremony at a memorial to Kiwi and Afghan troops killed during the mission to Bamyan.

The Police mission - Operation Highland - ended in December with the return home of the final contingent. Since 2005, 16 contingents involving 53 staff have worked to strengthen the capacity of the Afghan National Police (ANP).

Projects included mentoring the Provincial Chief of Police and senior staff and training ANP trainers. Activities ranged from implementing the concept of community policing to embedding professional standards in daily operations.

Other Kiwi-led training covered intelligence analysis, human rights in policing and criminal investigation. Police staff became involved in other initiatives, including the supply of woolly hats to orphans, securing supplies for nursing mothers in prisons and assisting a US-led domestic violence project.

More than 3,000 Afghan police have received training in Bamyan province during the time of New Zealand's involvement.

Commissioner Marshall said: "In walking around and speaking with local staff, it's clear they hold New Zealand Police in very high regard and speak appreciatively of our Kiwi 'can do' attitude.
 
"I'm immensely proud of the Police work undertaken in Afghanistan and was pleased to be able to formally mark the conclusion of our role, in association with other government officials."

The Commissioner was on hand at Whenuapai Air Base on Monday 22 April when four language assistants who worked with Police staff in Bamyan arrived with family members to start new lives in New Zealand. They were among a group of 30 interpreters, plus family members, who have come to New Zealand under a resettlement package.