Capt. Steve Bowen is a reservist serving in Kandahar, Afghanistan who brings with him years of experience as a Winnipeg police officer.
Despite the differences in geography, Bowen says he sees parallels between how Winnipeg street gangs and the Taliban operate.
"Street gangs get involved in violence to gain advantage and power for themselves and turn your average citizen into someone who is afraid to help," says Bowen.
That is what the Taliban is trying to do as well, he says.
Bowen's job is to mentor the national police in Afghanistan. He says the principles of community policing are at the focus for his efforts, having local officers try to gain people's trust.
"Talk to these people, just don't direct them. Tell them you want to be here to help. You want to hear about their problems," says Bowen.
He brings more than 20 years experience with Winnipeg police to his current role in Afghanistan.
"What you want the people in Afghanistan to do (are) believe their laws will work and that local authorities, in this case the police and village elders, will make things happen without violence," says Bowen.
He hopes to bring that same message home to Winnipeg once his deployment is over.
- with a report from CTV's Kelly Dehn
